Artists including Central Cee, Raye, Potter Payper and Dave have been recognised at the MOBO Awards.
Celebrating black music in the UK and internationally, the 26th MOBOs ceremony also saw special achievement prizes awarded to Soul II Soul, Sugababes and Ghetts.
Central Cee was named best male, beating the likes of Stormzy – who had tied with Little Simz with four nods ahead of the ceremony – J Hus and Dave. Central Cee also received the song of the year prize for Sprinter, his collaboration with Dave.
Potter Payper’s Real Back In Style was named album of the year ahead of records by Mercury Prize winners Ezra Collective, J Hus, Little Simz, Raye and Stormzy.
However, Stormzy did pick up one prize, with Mel Made Me Do It awarded video of the year.
Elsewhere, rapper Tunde received the best newcomer gong, while acts including Sault, Little Simz, Bugzy Malone, Asake, K-Trap and Ezra Collective picked up awards in the genre categories.
Best international act went to Drake & 21 Savage.
Image: Jazzie B, from Soul II Soul, attends the MOBOs. Pic: PA
Announced ahead of the ceremony, Sugababes were recognised for their impact on music, Soul II Soul were honoured with a lifetime achievement award, and Ghetts was named a pioneer.
Image: Ghetts. Pic: Adam Jalloh/MOBO Awards
Retired Olympic heptathlete Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill was also honoured, with the MOBOs “paving the way” award in recognition of her sporting and charitable achievements.
The MOBO Awards were streamed on YouTube from the Utility Arena Sheffield, hosted by comedian, actor and podcaster Babatunde Aleshe and Love Island star Indiyah Polack.
The full list of winners
Best male act: Central Cee Best female act: Raye Album of the year: Potter Payper – Real Back In Style Song of the year: Central Cee & Dave – Sprinter Best newcomer: Tunde Video of the year: Stormzy – Mel Made Me Do It Best RnB/ soul act: Sault Best hip-hop act: Little Simz Best grime act: Bugzy Malone Best drill act: K-Trap Best international act: Drake & 21 Savage Best performance in a TV show/ film: Damson Idris as Franklin Saint – Snowfall Best media personality: ShxtsNGigs Best African music act: Asake Best Caribbean music act: Valiant Best jazz act: Ezra Collective Best alternative music act: Skindred Best electronic/ dance act: Shygirl Best producer: Inflo Best gospel act: Limoblaze Lifetime achievement award: Soul II Soul Impact award: Sugababes Paving the way award: Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill Pioneer award: Ghetts
British actor Terence Stamp – who famously played General Zod in Superman and Superman II – has died at the age of 87.
The Oscar-nominated actor, who was born in London’s East End, also starred in hits such as Theorem, A Season in Hell, and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
He formed one of Britain’s most glamorous couples with Julie Christie, with whom he starred in “Far From the Madding Crowd” in 1967.
In a statement, his family said: “He leaves behind an extraordinary body of work, both as an actor and as a writer that will continue to touch and inspire people for years to come.”
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Fashion brand Topshop celebrated its relaunch with its first catwalk in seven years.
The company’s website promised everyone was invited as models strutted down a runway on Trafalgar Square in front of noughties fashion icons Cara Delevingne and Adwoa Aboah and the London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan.
The label has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020.
Image: Topshop held a catwalk in Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Image: A model on the catwalk
Its previous owner, Sir Philip Green’s Arcadia group, collapsed into administration and all of Topshop’s physical stores – including the Oxford Circus flagship in London’s West End – closed soon after.
Delevingne told Sky News she was “totally blown away” by the relaunch event.
“It was like nostalgia mixed with something eclectic but also something brand new,” she said.
“For me, it really brings back a time of exploration of my own fashion sense because I think for me at Topshop I got to discover so much.”
The model, who is working on a capsule collection for next year, has already unveiled a choice edit in this year’s show and said her relationship with Topshop precedes her fame.
She said: “I would go in and my friends would be like ‘you would look good in that’ and I would go ‘no, that’s not really me’, and then you’d try it on and be like ‘oh maybe I can explore more’.
“They really have everything for everyone, and I feel like they brought that back.”
The runway showcased highlights from its Autumn-Winter 2025 collection, as well as an early preview of pieces set to drop later this season, including showstopper gowns, the classic white tee, and an aloe vera-coloured faux fur coat that surely should not have been on display – to prevent just about everyone rushing to buy it.
Image: Topshop’s relaunch was staged at Trafalgar Square
Image: Models in front of the National Gallery in London’s Trafalgar Square. Pic: PA
Reclaiming the high street
But sharp tailoring and statement outerwear suggest the brand is ready to reclaim the high street.
Must-have denim pieces completed the womenswear line-up while the Topman collection screamed modern utility by blending refined formal wear with sharp new silhouettes.
Casual pieces are grounded by authentic denim in deep indigos, which stood out on Trafalgar Square’s magnificent stone steps.
Topshop’s relaunch comes as the high street continues to struggle and as the UK operation of Chinese fashion giant Shein announced pre-tax profits of £38.3m for the year, up some £14m from 2023.
‘Top end of the market’
Moses Rashid, global marketing director at Topshop/Topman said they are competing in a different space.
Image: Topshop has been operating on the online fashion platform ASOS after ceasing to operate as a standalone business in 2020
“We’re at the top end of the market. We’re about elevation. We pride ourselves on the quality of the product,” he said.
Those products are being designed in north London, and managing director Michelle Wilson said the aim is to stay that way.
“We are a British brand, we want to be a positive force for fashion. We want to bring London to the world. It’s fundamental to who we are as a brand, our style is very much London-driven.”
The majority Danish-owned company has suggested it will slow fashion down by opening physical stores where customers can touch the products, browse collections and try things on, though the flagship on Oxford Circus is unlikely to return because a Swedish fast furniture brand has since occupied the space.
Designer Wayne Hemingway has previously collaborated with Topshop and said the relaunch must be more than nostalgia.
“They can’t rely on their old customers because their old customers have now got kids of their own to spend their money on, and they’ve got mortgages and all of those things of what being an adult means.
“They’ve got to have designers, marketeers, people who understand – who are on the pulse – who understood, number one, what was a success back then, and also a young generation of people who are there saying, ‘this is what our generation needs’, and who are bright and can help deliver that. They can’t rely on the past.”
Jones said in a statement: “A few months ago, I had to stop my tour HA!MILTON because I needed treatment for prostate cancer. I’m glad to say I’ve had that treatment and am now cancer-free!
“So, many thanks to all the doctors and nurses who helped me get better – I couldn’t do their job (I tried, but apparently you have to be qualified).”
Thanking his family, friends and fans, he went on to joke: “I have to admit there were a few dark moments when I wondered if anyone would ever see me again, but then I realised that I was leaning against the light switch.
“Thankfully, I’m now in a completely different place, and if you look at my website, you’ll see that very soon I’ll be in lots of other different places on tour too”.
Jones picks up his tour on 15 September in Stafford, touring until the end of November 2025.
The show, whose name is a play on the title of the hit musical Hamilton, promises laughter and unforgettable comedy moments, as well as jokes about giraffes and tomatoes.
The Richmond-born comedian has been hailed as the king of the one-liner, basing his jokes on clever wordplay and surreal humour.
He has performed on Live At The Apollo, Lee Mack’s All Star Cast, and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.