The countdown is on to our Young Scot spectacular - and host Katy J is getting her hankies and waterproof mascara ready as she gears up for a night of tears and laughter. It’s the Capital DJ’s first time hosting our young people’s Oscars and she is hoping she can stay cool, calm and collected as she reveals our winnners’ emotional stories.
Katy, who will take to the stage at our festival-style event at Platform in Glasgow this Thursday, said: “I’m really nervous about keeping my cool when I hear all the amazing stories on the night. I am sure I will manage to maintain my professionalsim but it’s going to be a challenge.
“So many of this year’s finalists have been through some incredibly tough times and I just know I’m going to find it hard to hold back the tears. Their heartwrenching stories really put life into perspective especially when you realise how much they have accomplished in the face of adversity.”
The Aberdeen-born drivetime host, added: “It’s a real honour to be asked to host the awards especially as I am following in the footsteps of great presenters like Gemma Cairney, Edith Bowman, Jean Johansson and Iain Stirling. I’ve got a wee bit of imposter syndrome.
“I have been involved with Young Scot for a few years. I did their podcast and during lockdown I did a couple of their media takeovers and the relationship has grown from there.
“I’m just so chuffed to be a part of it all, especially the new festival format which promises to be a lot of fun. It’s so important for us to celebrate the achievements of this country’s incrdedible young people.”
Katy deserves an award herself for all the hard work she does as an ambassador for women’s health charity Endometriosis UK. The 26-year-old, whose bladder, bowel and uterus are fused together due to the agonising and debilitating condition, spoke at the Houses of Parliament last week in a bid to raise awareness.
The former Robert Gordon’s College pupil said: “I’ve had a wild ride with my endometriosis and it has taken me to some dark places but you can either bury your head in the sand or speak up about it and make a change and I have chosen to do the latter.
“The condition affects one in ten women in the UK - that’s 180million but so many people like me are still waiting for surgery to remove the scar tissue. I spoke in Parliament last week about the need to tackle waiting times, the lack of education in schools and how employers should make concessions for sufferers on their agonising poorly days.”
The Glasgow University graduate added: “I want to get the message out there that if you have to take days of school with period pain then you need to go to the doctor. It’s better speaking up now than 10 years down the line when the condition has ended up affecting both your physical and mental health.”
Katy is just one of a host of radio, TV and sports stars who will be making this year’s ceremony, which will also be attended by First Minister Humza Yousaf, the best yet.
Over the past 17 years the Sunday Mail Young Scot Awards have celebrated the exceptional contributions and humbling achievements of young people. Our awards recognise young people in 11 categories, including enterprise, community, arts, sport and the environment.
One of the category winners will be crowned the overall Young Scot of 2023 and will follow in the footsteps of 2022 champion Fergus Crawley, 27, from Edinburgh,who raised more than £100,000 for mental health charities.
Entertainment will be provided by DJ Erfone and singer Tallia Storm. Stars celebrating our young people on the night will include TV presenters Jean Johansson and Jennifer Reoch, actress Gayle Telfer Stevens, TikTok star Ryan Sullivan, influencer Kristen Scott and DJs Garry Spence and Steven Mill.
You can read about the night and all the winners in next week’s Sunday Mail.
Get the latest celebrity gossip and telly news sent straight to your inbox. Sign up to our daily Showbiz newsletter here.
