Express & Star

The cream of the Black Country’s entertainment industry was honoured at the Express & Star’s star-packed Spotlight Awards.

See also: Spotlight Awards night - in pictures

The Civic Hall was transformed and a red carpet rolled out for guests at last night’s glittering event, which honour the best pubs, clubs, bars, tourist attractions and entertainment venues.

Black Country legend Noddy Holder MBE made a special appearance and presented the award for Best Large Concert Venue to the Civic Hall, where he recalled performing with Slade 50 years ago.

“I knew I was back home in the Black Country today when I stopped off to buy a newspaper and the staff at the petrol station recognised my accent,” he declared to delighted fans.

The former Slade frontman was there to officially become the first name on the Civic Hall’s Wall of Fame– unveiled to celebrate the venue’s 70th anniversary this year. The wall takes the form of a motorway sign and will be on the Civic’s stage for the rest of the year while bands perform.

The names are printed in the style of road signs, and legendary music promoter Maurice Jones was also added to the wall, plus indie rock band Ned’s Atomic Dustbin star Jonn Penney, who also works as the Civic’s spokesman.

The event, staged in conjunction with 100.7 Heart FM, featured 45 finalists selected in 14 different categories. Around 35,000 votes were cast as Express & Star readers voted for their favourite places.

The biggest cheers of the night went to the Thorns Inn in Quarry Bank, which won three awards - Best Pub, Best Eating Place (Pub) and Best Concert Venue (Small).

Owner Paul Skitt said: “It feels absolutely brilliant to have achieved this - this is just rewards for the staff and for our chef Richard Percival, who help make the Thorns Inn the best it can be. We’re delighted.”

The Black Country Living Museum was declared winner of Best Family Day Out for the third time, and the Grand Theatre and Civic Hall also retained their Best Theatre and Best Concert Venue titles.

As entertainment elite across the region was praised, Strictly Come Dancing stars Erin Boag and Anton du Beke took to the floor to showcase the fancy footwork watched by millions on the hit BBC show.

Before the show the pair told the Express & Star they were delighted to be invited to the annual awards evening.

Anton said: “Dancing in venues like this, when you are close to the audience, really appeals to me. I don’t get nervous anymore - a long time ago I might have done but I’ve been performing with Erin for 11 years now. We met on the dance circuit. Nerves can either lead you to do nothing at all, or it can have the effect where you perform, but not as you want. I just go out there and give it my best.”

Erin added: “There is nothing quite like being able to dress up in something really nice and dance. If you ask me there isn’t enough places like that these days.”

The couple performed two dramatic dances, before Erin disappeared to get changed into another glittering outfit leaving Anton to hold court on the floor. He told jokes to the crowd and even kissed one member of the audience, before Erin returned in a stunning blue dress for their final dance.

The audience leapt to their feet to give blind marathon runner Dave Heeley a standing ovation as he walked to the stage to hand out the award Best Family Day Out to the Black Country Living Museum.

He was joined by ‘Mad’ Mac Carr, who joined Dave on his epic record-breaking seven marathons in seven continents in seven days. Dave, aged 50 and from West Bromwich,said: “Obviously I’m a little biased but I want to say a big thank you to everyone who responded to what we did, thank you very, very much.” Emma Middleton, marketing manager at the museum, said she and the rest of the staff were delighted to pick up the award for the third time. “We are over the moon - this is great for the people that work for us and a very welcome news to hear,” she said.

Best social club went to Brierley Hill Labour club, with an award presented by Express & Star head of personnel John Harris. One of the club’s best known comedians Tracy Rhodes, whose alter-ego is Our Trace, said: “It’s fantastic for the club - every bit of support it gets helps.”

Best activity destination went to the enduringly popular Laser Quest, based in Amblecote and Best club night went to Cheeky Monkey, based inside the Civic Hall.

Popular chippy the Newbridge Fryer, based in Newbridge, Wolverhampton, came away with best takeaway.

Mark Callega, who runs the chip shop with his brother, said: “We’re ecstatic - we didn’t expect to win the whole thing to be honest, what can I say it must be down to the good food.”

The Quadrant Lounge in Wolverhampton came away with best bar for the third time, while Indian restaurant Bilash was voted as best posh nosh eating place.

The Showcase in Dudley beat off the competition to come away with best cinema around. Manager Paul Delaney, said: “We have won this award for three years in a row now, it’s fantastic for us. We try to be the best cinema possible and feel we are the leader in our field.” Best casual eating place went to Wombourne Tandoori, holding onto the award it picked up last year. After Noddy was put on the Wall of Fame he was engulfed by fans wanting his autograph.

He told the Express & Star just how much he misses the Black Country: “I love this area. The Midlands tend to get overlooked at times but there is so much talent in this region, whether it be artists, writers, dancers, captains of industry, you name it. It’s a special place,” he said.

“I have tried to promote the Black Country all over the world. I live in Manchester now but I do miss it a lot and get back whenever I can. My life never really stopped - even though Slade ended in 1991 and we all went our separate ways I went on to other things.

“I’ve had a wonderful time and all along I’ve realised that I have to represent the Black Country and tell people just what the place is like.”

During the night Staffordshire-based band Kid Captain performed on the stage, and X Factor hit finalist Beverley Trotman, also made a special appearance. It was a big day for Beverley as her nephew Leon Barnett plays for the newly-promoted Baggies. She was joined by fellow X-Factor contestants Futureproof, who are still trying to secure a record deal. Member Shaun has left the band, leaving Richard, Matt, Aron and Adam to continue as four.

Mrs Trotman, who is 39 and works as a supply teacher while gigging all around the UK.

She said: “I loved doing X Factor and it’s amazing how it has changed my life overnight. People come up to you everywhere and just want to say ‘hi, I remember you from the TV’. I didn’t expect to get so far in the show to be honest. People ask me what I think of Simon Cowell and I say he’s great.

“It’s lovely to be in Wolverhampton. Getting a record deal isn’t my main focus right now, it’s concentrating on making my music the best it can be. I’m doing gigs and shows all over the place and really am just starting to find my way forward.”

Futureproof singer Aron, aged 20, said: “We want to get away from the boyband image that was made for us.

“I think the concept of X Factor is good from an entertainment point of view, but it seems to be more about making good TV than focusing on just trying to find the the most amazing talent in the country.”

The night finished with Heart FM’s DJ’s spinning the discs as the winners and runners up danced until midnight.

And the winners are:

Best Social Club: Brierley Hill Labour Club; Best Activity Destination: Laser Quest, Amblecote; Best Family Day Out: Black Country Living Museum; Best Club Night: Cheeky Monkey, Wolverhampton; Best Pub: Thorns Inn, Quarry Bank; Best Bar: Quadrant Lounge, Wolverhampton; Best Eating Place - Posh Nosh: Bilash, Wolverhampton; Best Eating Place - Casual: Wombourne Tandoori, Wombourne; Best Eating Place - Pub: Thorns Inn, Quarry Bank; Best Cinema: Showcase, Dudley; Best Takeaway: Newbridge Fryer, Wolverhampton; Best Theatre: Grand Theatre, Wolverhampton; Best Concert Venue -ÊSmall: Thorns Inn, Quarry Bank; Best Concert Venue -ÊLarge: Civic Hall, Wolverhampton