Writers’ Guild Awards 2021 cancelled

The Writers’ Guild of Great Britain (WGGB) has taken the difficult decision to cancel its Writers’ Guild Awards as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and lockdown.

The red-carpet gala event was due to take place at the Royal College of Physicians in central London in January 2021, in a special ceremony to mark the annual Writers’ Guild Awards’ 60th anniversary. ALCS is proud to be the lead sponsor of these awards, which have shone a light on the vital work of the WGGB union and celebrated so many talented British writers each year since their inception in 1961.

Renowned writers awarded gongs in the past six decades include: Danny Boyle, Jo Brand, Dawn French, Roddy Doyle, Jennifer Saunders, Caryl Churchill, Tom Stoppard, Russell T Davies, Kay Mellor and Heidi Thomas.

High-profile presenters and guests in recent years have included WGGB President Sandi Toksvig OBE, Meera Syal, Caitlin Moran, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Armando Iannucci, Mackenzie Crook and Rob Delaney.

WGGB Chair Lisa Holdsworth said: “Our awards happen because of two things: the generous support of our loyal sponsors, and the same collective strength our union is founded on. WGGB members, all working writers, volunteer their time and energy to sit on juries, shortlist entries, and pull endless strings behind the scenes to make the event the glittering success it is every year.

This year, those same members are working tirelessly to protect writers’ rights in industries which are facing an unprecedented, existential threat. We need to concentrate on this vital work, so that we can look forward to coming back with a bang, and much to celebrate, in 2022.”

Read the Writers’ Guild’s full press release here.