With TVX’s SHAFTAs missing from this year’s industry awards calendar – it returns in 2015 for the channel’s 20th birthday celebrations – the second annual Paul Raymond Awards can lay claim to being the most glamorous gathering of 2014 – apart from June’s ETO Awards, of course! Hosted by comedian Russell Kane and ex-Apprentice and Celebrity Big Brother contestant Luisa Zissman at London’s Spearmint Rhino Gentlemen’s Club on Monday, November 24th, it bumped and ground to a soundtrack from DJ Ironik and Tyson Brown.
With a memorable stage performance on the pole by Loulou Petite, the event’s timetable slipped a little, but the crowd didn’t appear to mind. However, Russell Kane’s standup routine had to be jettisoned when they wouldn’t settle down. He and Luisa Zissman were on good form at the podium though and they powered through the many awards and occasional delays with style.
Fourteen categories were keenly fought over, with Samantha Bentley winning Female Performer of the Year, Lexi Lowe being awarded the Paul Raymond Girl of the Year gong and Demetri XXX – Male Performer of the Year – who used the stage to announce his retirement from performing. Adult Product of the Year was given to Fleshlight Flight and accepted on the firm’s behalf by Tanya Tate, with Doxy Massager being awarded the runners-up prize for the category. The much-coveted Adult Film of the Year went to PureXXX’s Benefits Treat.
Other winners were Carla Mai as Newcomer of the Year, Rebecca More as MILF of the Year with Tanya Tate in second place, Emma Green as Mayfair Covergirl of the Year, Sophia Knight as Club International Covergirl of the Year, and Brook Logan as Escort Magazine Covergirl of the Year. Photographer of the Year went to Holly Randall, Jess West was recognised as PaulRaymond.xxx Fan Favourite and PRP Wife/Girlfriend of the Year was awarded to ‘Sally from South London’. Steve Colby took away the Lifetime Achievement Award and Editors Choice Award was given jointly to Danielle Maye and Jenny Laird.
Event co-ordinator for Paul Raymond Publishing, Mark Hassell, said: “We undoubtedly raised the bar this year with the involvement of both Luisa Zissman and Russell Kane, not to mention out billboard ad campaign across central London prior to the awards, all topped-off with the show being recorded for Sky Television.”
With Lexi Lowe and Satine Spark interviewing performers and models and many other famous faces getting up to shenanigans (Hella Walkington and Nichi Hodgson, can we start the bidding at £200 for the negatives?) it was a boisterous affair. Congrats to all the winners.
