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Stars unite for Animal Hero Awards
Ricky Gervais
Ricky Gervais with Dr Brian May and RSPCA inspector Kate Fletcher.

Ricky Gervais honoured for outstanding contribution to animal welfare

Comedian Ricky Gervais has been honoured by the RSPCA for his outstanding contribution to animal welfare at a glittering awards ceremony in London.

Held on Wednesday evening (21 October), the Animal Hero Awards celebrate the most inspiring examples of bravery, dedication and resilience in the animal world.

Ricky - a Bafta-award winning director, actor and writer -  has used social media to draw attention to several animal welfare campaigns this year to over 10 million of his followers.  These included the campaign to repeal the Hunting Act and the RSPCA's Scrap the Puppy Trade campaign, which pushed to introduce laws to regulate the sale of puppies in England and Wales.

On accepting his award, presented by Queen's Brian May, Ricky said: “I think the RSPCA are great, they are the people on the frontline they are the people who are tackling it.”

He praised RSPCA inspectors, saying: “Those people are amazing, they are an emergency service, they are fantastic.”

Ricky added: “I think it is one of the greatest privileges of freedom of speech, to use your voice for those who don’t have one. I think people who are kind to animals are the loveliest people.”

This is the third year for the Animal Hero Awards, hosted in conjunction with the RSPCA, Daily Mirror and Bayer pharmaceuticals.

Other worthy winners on the night included Victoria Bryceson, who won Animal Enthusiast of the Year for dedicating her life to helping animals in Borneo.

RSPCA Superstar of the Year went to Julie Bedford, a pet behavioural expert who has put together two courses for RSPCA staff to help dogs showing signs of aggression in RSPCA care.

TV vet Marc Abraham was awarded Vet of the Year and Celia Hammond, former model turned animal welfare campaigner, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Speaking at the ceremony RSPCA interim chief executive David Canavan said: "The Animal Hero Awards is a fantastic event and one that the RSPCA are very proud to be part of.

"I was honoured to hear all the animal heroes' stories. Having an event dedicated to the positive power of animals really shows the impact they have on our lives and highlights the wonderful work of the people who help and heal them." 

Image (C) RSPCA

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With 15 candidates standing for three available positions, vets have been invited to submit a question of their choosing before voting starts. These questions will be collated, with each candidate answering one question of their choice.

It is recommended that members read the candidates' biographies and statements before submitting questions. One question per member can be submitted to vetvote26@rcvs.org.uk before Wednesday, 25 February 2026.

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