Joe Lycett has withdrawn from the British LGBT Awards after eco activists pledged a protest over the event being sponsored by Shell and BP.
The comedian, known for a stunt in which he ‘shredded’ £10,000 to protest David Beckham’s promotion of the Qatar World Cup, is the latest star to withdraw from the event over the controversial sponsorship deals, the Guardian reported.
Two judges have also pulled out, the paper reported.
The event takes place at The Brewery in central London on June 23 and pledges to shine a spotlight on “organisations who are working tirelessly to better the needs of LGBT+ people.”
It comes as Just Stop Oil pledged in an open letter to “take action on the night of your event” unless the British LGBT awards dropped the sponsors.
Others who withdrew their support are RuPaul’s Drag Race star Cheddar Gorgeous, journalist Shon Faye and trans campaigner Fox Fisher.
Gorgeous said they would be rejecting a nomination for TV moment of the year at the awards.
“The event unfortunately has a number of sponsors with questionable track records on climate change, racism and inequality, including BP and Shell,” they wrote on Instagram.
“These two in particular have consistently failed to back up rhetoric of low carbon transition with actions to that effect.
“Given the nomination was offered for an act of creative advocacy, it wouldn’t feel right to be part of the event knowing the damage these companies are still doing to the environment and communities most affected by climate change.”
Faye, known for her book The Transgender Issue, said that queer liberation was undermined by “the extreme and imminent threat of climate change”.
She said: “I don’t accept my nomination nor would I want anyone to vote for me as long the awards are sponsored by BP and Shell.”
Campaigners with Fossil Free Pride, which lobbies Pride events to refuse sponsorship from fossil fuel companies, said: “Fossil fuel companies and funders have no place in our events.”
A spokesperson for Shell said its internal LGBT network had bought a premium table at the event and placed an advert in the awards brochure.
“Shell puts diversity, equity and inclusion at the heart of its employee culture and believes that a fully inclusive workplace allows our business to flourish,” said the spokesperson.
“It’s important to highlight this through our presence at events like this one, and it’s regrettable that a few people have reacted so negatively, especially as we’re committed to becoming a net zero emissions energy business by 2050.”
A BP spokesperson said: “At BP, we promote an environment where everyone can be their best and true selves and feel like they belong, with no exceptions.
“That’s why we’re proud to sponsor the British LGBT Awards to celebrate other individuals and organisations that share our beliefs and recognise diversity, equity and inclusion.”
The Standard has contacted the British LGBT awards for comment.
