Clare Balding has been nominated as Stonewall’s ‘Hero of the Year’ after her complaint to the PCC about AA Gill was upheld this week. Gill had called Ms Balding, a journalist and  horse racing commentator, a ‘dyke on a bike’ when reviewing her programme Britain by Bike. Gill had attempted to plead his innocence by claiming that the word had been ‘reclaimed’ by the LGBT community and was therefore no longer offensive. The Sunday Times, where the review appeared, will now have to issue an apology in print.

Others nominated in the same category are gay X Factor winner Joe McElderry and Gareth Thomas, the rugby league player who came out last December and was featured heavily in the BBC’s Inside Sport – The Last Taboo about homosexuality in sport.

The ceremony, the fifth in Stonewall’s history, will take place at the V and A museum in London on Thursday the Fourth of November, and wil be hosted by out comedienne and presenter Sue Perkins. Laura Doughty, Stonewall Deputy Chief Executive, said: ‘Once again, the Stonewall Awards are shining a light on those who are making an important contribution to equality in Britain today – inspiring lesbian, gay and bisexual people to lead fulfilling lives at home, at school and at work.’