Ed Miliband reveals reality TV offer at PinkNews Awards
PinkNews Exclusive
The former Labour Leader Ed Miliband revealed the news as he received a Special Award at the PinkNews Awards.
Mr Miliband, who stepped down as leader in May, was given the Special Award at the third annual PinkNews Awards this evening at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, for his ongoing contribution to achieving LGBT rights both nationally and internationally.
A champion of LGBT rights, Mr Miliband first voiced his support for the LGBT community in a column for PinkNews.co.uk. back in 2010 – shortly before his election as Labour Leader.
Upon receiving the award – presented by PinkNews CEO Benjamin Cohen – Mr Miliband championed “the power of the LGBT movement” and “the campaigners who made change happen”.
“I want to just say something about who really deserves this award and who this award is really about,” he told the audience.
Expressing his delight at receiving the Special Award, Mr Miliband also revealed some of the more “interesting requests” he has received during life “life as a recovering political leader”.
“I’ve got to say that life as a recovering political leader is what you might call interesting – and you get some very interesting requests,” he said.
“I was obviously delighted to be invited to receive this PinkNews Award, but I will just briefly relate to you another request I received which you think is slightly incongruous and I can promise you I won’t be appearing.
“It is from a programme soon to be aired on your television screens called Drive ITV, when nine well known faces take on the challenge of motor sport and I was offered the chance, believe it or not, to take part in everything from stock car racing to buggy racing.
“Now, somehow I think they may have got the wrong guy, so I said no.”
However, he warned that the fight for LGBT must continue, as “we’re not finished yet”.
“Because if you think about the change we need in our culture still, if you think about the hidden barriers of discrimination in this country and then you think about the outrages happening around the world to the LGBT community, we know the battle is not won.”
The PinkNews Awards are generously supported by Lloyds Banking Group.
