Raise a glass to the winners of the ‘Oscars‘ of the UK hospitality industry.

At a prestigious awards ceremony hosted by the AA at Grosvenor House in London on Monday night, awards were presented in categories including ‘Hotel of the Year’, ‘Restaurant of the Year’ and ‘Chefs’ Chef of the Year’.

The 2023 AA Hospitality Awards winners were picked by the AA’s inspectors, who spent the past year feasting their way through the UK’s restaurants and laying their heads in the nation’s hotel rooms in a bid to crown the cream of the crop. Here are their verdicts…

HOTELS

The top hotel in England is Forest Side, a former mansion house that’s been transformed into a hotel – complete with a Michelin-starred restaurant – on the edge of the pretty Lake District village of Grasmere. 

The 2023 AA Hospitality Awards winners have been revealed. Taking the prize for England’s hotel of the year is Forest Side (above), a former mansion house in the Lake District that’s been transformed into a hotel

Penally Abbey Hotel is the top-ranking hotel in Wales. The AA Inspector was impressed by its friendly staff 

‘The bedrooms have stunning views of the hills and countryside beyond,’ reveals the AA’s inspector. 

The number one hotel in London is The Lanesborough, an ‘elegant and luxurious’ hotel that ‘offers nearly 100 rooms, of which almost 50 are suites, with a personal butler service for all guests 24 hours a day’.

Reigning supreme as the best hotel in Wales, meanwhile, is Penally Abbey Hotel in Pembrokeshire. The AA Inspector was impressed by its ‘friendly team’ who show a ‘genuine concern for guest comfort and enjoyment’.

Scotland’s top hotel is Fingal, a former support vessel for the Northern Lighthouse Board that’s been converted into a luxury hotel

The number one hotel in London is The Lanesborough, an ‘elegant and luxurious’ hotel that ‘offers nearly 100 rooms, of which almost 50 are suites, with a personal butler service for all guests 24 hours a day’

Moving up the map, Scotland’s hotel of the year is Fingal, a former support vessel for the Northern Lighthouse Board that’s been converted into a luxury hotel that’s moored permanently in Edinburgh. 

‘This is a hotel experience unlike any other that Edinburgh can offer,’ says the AA’s Inspector.

And Northern Ireland‘s hotel of the year is Killeavy Castle Estate in County Armagh, a ‘fairy-tale castle’ set in ‘a 350-acre estate made up of woods and farmlands’.

The prize for ‘spa hotel of the year’ goes to South Lodge in West Sussex. Its spa, complete with a spin studio and an outdoor hydrotherapy pool, is ‘set into the natural contours of the land and designed with sustainability in mind’, the AA’s inspector reveals.

For travellers with an affinity for foodie experiences, the awards also breaks down the nation’s top restaurants with rooms, with The New Inn in Hereford taking the top spot in England. 

Originally a 16th-century coaching lodge, the inn has been ‘delightfully refurbished’ and boasts ‘plenty of character’, the AA’s inspector notes.

In Wales, the number one restaurant with rooms is Ynyshir Restaurant and Rooms, an inn surrounded by mountains to the west of the country. 

Northern Ireland ‘s hotel of the year is Killeavy Castle Estate in County Armagh, a ‘fairy-tale castle’ set in ‘a 350-acre estate made up of woods and farm lands’

The prize for ‘spa hotel of the year’ goes to South Lodge, West Sussex. Its spa has been ‘designed with sustainability in mind’

The Witchery, a ‘romantic’ inn housed within a 16th-century building in Edinburgh is Scotland’s top restaurant with rooms

Ynyshir’s restaurant serves ‘exceptional’ food that takes diners on a ‘relentless tasting journey that offers hit after hit’, says the AA’s inspector. 

And the gong for Scotland’s best restaurant with rooms goes to The Witchery, an inn housed in a 16th-century property beside Edinburgh Castle.

The AA’s inspector notes that it’s a ‘romantic’ destination, with suites ‘filled with antiques, opulently draped beds, large roll-top baths and a plethora of memorabilia’.

RESTAURANTS

Looking to the top restaurants of the year, in England, it’s the Old Stamp House Restaurant in the Lake District town of Ambleside that takes the crown. 

The AA’s inspector praises the ‘charming little basement’ restaurant for its ‘creatively presented’ tasting menus with ‘plenty of focus on the best of Cumbrian produce’.

London’s restaurant of the year is Chutney Mary, a ‘long-established and super stylish’ Indian restaurant in the St James district. 

‘Expect luxurious ingredients, careful presentation and well-judged spicing in a fabulously glossy dining room,’ says the AA’s Inspector.

The Jackdaw in Conwy is Wales’s top restaurant. This eatery, housed in a former cinema, offers ‘clever modern dishes and a cool Scandi vibe’. 

England’s restaurant of the year is The Old Stamp House Restaurant (above) in Ambleside. The AA’s inspector praises the ‘charming little basement’ restaurant for its ‘creatively presented’ tasting menus 

One of the dishes served at the Old Stamp House Restaurant, where diners tuck into ‘the best of Cumbrian produce’

Scotland’s restaurant of the year, meanwhile, is Cail Bruich, a Glasgow eatery that ‘champions the finest British produce’. 

Here you can expect ‘a unique and relaxed dining experience’ and ‘modern Scottish cooking with lots of luxury ingredients’.

The AA Food Service Award goes to The Strathearn restaurant at Gleneagles in Scotland, where diners enjoy ‘slick’ service and Franco-Scottish cooking with ‘plenty of modern twists’. 

London’s restaurant of the year is Chutney Mary, a ‘long-established and super stylish’ Indian restaurant in the St James district

Scotland’s restaurant of the year is Cail Bruich, a Glasgow restaurant that ‘champions the finest British produce’

The AA Wine Award goes to Askham Hall in Cumbria, where guests are treated to a ‘notable wine list’ that includes a number of ‘vintage French stunners’ 

The AA Food Service Award goes to The Strathearn (above) restaurant at Gleneagles in Scotland, where diners enjoy ‘slick’ service and Franco-Scottish cooking with ‘plenty of modern twists’

The ‘Chef’s Chef of the Year’ goes to Paul Ainsworth, who – as the name suggests – is Chef Patron of Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 in Padstow 

The AA Wine Award goes to Askham Hall in Cumbria, where guests are treated to a ‘notable wine list’ that includes a number of ‘vintage French stunners’.

CHEF’S CHEF OF THE YEAR

The ‘Chef’s Chef of the Year’ goes to Paul Ainsworth, who – as the name suggests – is Chef Patron of Paul Ainsworth at No. 6 in Padstow, Cornwall.

The Southampton-born chef studied catering and hospitality at his local college and went on to work with celebrated chefs that include Gary Rhodes, Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing. 

The AA says: ‘After eight years in London, Paul moved to Padstow to work at No 6, and fell in love with Cornwall. Together with his wife Emma, they took over the business, relaunching it as Paul Ainsworth at No 6.’ The AA’s Inspector praises the restaurant as a ‘truly delightful place to eat’, adding that every dish on the menu is ‘underpinned by quality produce and assured technique’. 

Commenting on the awards, Simon Numphud, Managing Director at AA Media, said: ‘It’s a delight to be back at Grosvenor House as we mark the greatest hospitality celebration across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. The last year has been tough on the hospitality industry as we’ve felt, like many others, the challenges facing businesses. Yet I’m so proud of the resilience, innovation and quality shown by the UK hospitality industry in response. We would like to extend a massive congratulations [to] all the winners and shortlisted establishments for their hard work, passion, and dedication.’

For more information on the winners, visit ratedtrips.com. 

• Gary Neville has criticised Mikel Arteta’s touch-line antics against Tottenham
• The Sky Sports pundit said the Arsenal boss should’ve shown more ‘composure’ 
• Mail Sport’s new WhatsApp Channel: Get the breaking news and exclusives here

By James Cohen For Mailonline

Published: 09:50 EDT, 25 September 2023 | Updated: 09:51 EDT, 25 September 2023

Gary Neville has slammed Mikel Arteta for his lack of ‘composure’ during Arsenal’s draw in the north London derby. 

Arteta’s side were held to a 2-2 draw with rivals Tottenham on Sunday afternoon, after Bukayo Saka‘s brace was cancelled out by Son Heung-Min‘s double.

For both goals, Arsenal struck first before Spurs fired back in quick succession – with the Son’s second coming just one minute after Saka’s. 

And, reflecting on the match, Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville suggested that Arteta’s antics on the sideline did little to help his team’s chances in the match. 

Speaking on The Gary Neville Podcast said: ‘I want to see a composure from this Arsenal team and that’s difficult because the manager’s on the sideline jumping around like you wouldn’t believe. 

Gary Neville (above) dissected Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with rivals Tottenham during his podcast

Neville suggested Mikel Arteta’s touch-line antics did little to help Arsenal hold their lead

Tottenham scored both of their goals just moments after Arsenal had struck in the game 

‘I want to see passion, but I want to see composure and a coldness, and that feels like a contradiction. But I want to see it in the right moments at the right times.

‘When they scored that second goal, Saka’s penalty, which was a beautiful penalty, celebrate it, give your fans something because they want to see it means something.

‘But there should be two or three senior players in that group saying, ‘Right, come on. Switch on now, we’re ready and we’re going to see this through’. Your mentality kicks in of knowing when a game’s in danger’.

After the break, Saka struck from the spot following a Cristian Romero handball before Son levelled one minute later.

The South Korean placed his effort into the Arsenal goal after James Maddison stole the ball off Jorginho deep inside the hosts’ half. 

The celebrations had barely ended before the Spurs captain levelled the scoring, and it lead to Neville questioning Arsenal’s ‘mentality’. 

Neville continued: ‘Rice had gone off at half-time and that presented a danger, so should Jorginho have been left there almost last man on the ball for Son’s second equaliser? Maybe, maybe not.

‘He should have done better himself, of course, but when you concede a goal a minute after one going in, that’s what I’m talking about, that mentality. They didn’t get set again.’

Elsewhere, Aaron Ramsdale’s father has hit back at Jamie Carragher after the Sky Sports pundit claimed he was ‘laughing’ at the Arsenal goalkeeper on Sunday afternoon.

James Maddison (L) stole the ball off Jorginho (R) to help create Tottenham’s second goal

Bukayo Saka scored a brace on the day but was unable to secure his side all three points

Ramsdale was an unused substitute during the Gunners’ 2-2 draw with rivals Tottenham, with summer signing David Raya being preferred to the England international. 

And, despite the fact he may be losing out on his No.1 spot at the Emirates, Ramsdale showed a heap of support for his team-mate during the tense North London Derby.

During post-match analysis, on Sky, Carragher said: ‘I thought it was like the Oscars, you know when someone loses the Oscar and they start clapping and smiling for the other person. I was laughing when I saw that. He’s absolutely devastated with that really.’ 

Later that evening, Nick Ramsdale replied to a Tweet about Carragher’s comments and said: ‘You are a Disgrace!! Show some class!! My lad has’.

IT’S ALL KICKING OFF! 

It’s All Kicking Off is an exciting new podcast from Mail Sport that promises a different take on Premier League football.

It is available on MailOnline, Mail+, YouTube, Apple Music and Spotify.

Awkward moment Mads Mikkelsen is stunned to be asked about lack of diversity in the cast for his film set in 1750s Denmark

• Mikkelsen stars in the film The Promised Land with a largely white cast

By Katie Hind

Published: 11:02 EDT, 8 September 2023 | Updated: 15:16 EDT, 8 September 2023

A forthcoming movie set in 1750’s Denmark has been accused of lacking diversity and told it risks not qualifying for Best Picture at the Oscars following new rules laid down in Hollywood.

The Promised Land sees James Bond actor Mads Mikkelsen play an 18th-century army captain struggling to raise his social status and maintain his values in an increasingly hostile climate. 

Mikkelsen appears alongside a predominantly white cast, and during an interview a Danish journalist quizzed the actor about the dearth of racial diversity – which riled the star.

The reporter asked him: ‘The film is entirely Nordic, it therefore has some lack of diversity you would say, there’s also new rules implied in Hollywood…?’

Mikkelsen, who starred in Casino Royale as a villain, immediately shook his head and asked: ‘What are you on?’, before turning to his director in apparent disbelief.

The journalist then explained that Best Picture Academy nominees must align with new rules announced by the Oscars committee which state that movies must include diverse leading or supporting actors, or that a large number of the cast are from underrepresented groups.

He asked: ‘It’s not because of artistic reasons, it’s because of a lack of diversity, are you worried about it?’

An irritated Mikkelsen, 57, replied: ‘Are you? You’re putting us on the spot so you answer the question.’

During an interview, a Danish journalist quizzed Mr Mikkelsen about the dearth of racial diversity – which riled him

Mikkelsen quickly bit back at the reporter before looking to director Nikolaj Arcel

Mikkelsen, who starred in Casino Royale as a villain, immediately shook his head, and asked: ‘What are you on?’ and turned to his director in apparent disbelief

Director Nikolaj Arcel then intervened and explained that the movie does in fact feature an ethnically diverse character who was a victim of racism.

‘We do have a big plot line about a girl of colour who is being subjected to racism, she was probably at the time the only [person of colour] in the entire country of Denmark.

‘It wasn’t a thought in our mind, I think it would be a little weird, it’s just how it was in the 1750s,’ Mr Arcel added as Mr Mikkelsen grinned beside him.

The historical drama is based on a novel inspired by a real person, Captain Ludvig Kahlen, and premiered at the recent Venice Film Festival.

In May the Oscars committee announced new representation and inclusion standards for a film to be eligible for the awards, though it applies solely for the best picture category. 

The standards, which come into effect next year, are designed to encourage equal representation on and off screen to better reflect the diversity of the movie-going and movie-making audience.

They require that the film must meet the criteria of either having at least one of the lead actors or significant supporting actors, or that 30 per cent of the secondary roles, are from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group.

Nicole Kidman embraces her husband Keith Urban in intimate photo as they celebrate their 17th anniversary

By Mary Mrad For Daily Mail Australia

Published: 20:21 EDT, 25 June 2023 | Updated: 22:02 EDT, 25 June 2023

Nicole Kidman has shared an intimate photo with her husband Keith Urban to mark their 17th wedding anniversary on Sunday.

The Big Little Lies star, 56, posted a sweet photo to Instagram of herself embracing Keith before attending the 2023 Oscars.

She looked stunning in a black asymmetrical sequinned gown with floral detailing as she gently touched her husband’s face.

‘Happy Anniversary my Love,’ Nicole captioned the image.

Nicole and Keith married on the 25th of June, 2006, after meeting at an event the previous year.

Nicole Kidman embraced her husband Keith Urban in an intimate photo as they celebrated their 17th anniversary

The couple tied the knot at the Cardinal Cerretti Chapel in the grounds of St Patrick’s College in Manly, Sydney.

A-list guests including Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-Lee Furness, along with Naomi Watts and director Baz Luhrmann. 

Nicole’s two adopted children, Isabella, 30, and Connor, 28, who she shares with ex-husband Tom Cruise, acted as bridesmaid and usher. 

The couple later welcomed daughters Sunday Rose, 15, and Faith Margaret, 12, in 2008 and 2010.

Keith recently revealed the mantra that ensures he and wife Nicole balance their family life and A-list careers.

The country singer told Fox News Digital the rule that always works for them is simply, ‘It’s always family first.’

Nicole and Keith married on the 25th of June, 2006, after meeting at an event the previous year

‘It’s balanced, so it means it goes out of balance sometimes, and we just put it back in balance,’ the 55-year-old added.

Keith went on to say it’s not a perfect process but they never stop trying to get it right.

‘It’s never perfectly in balance, but we get it back on track,’ he said.

He also previously revealed the secret to his marriage, telling Woman’s Day he ‘tends’ to their love like a garden.

Keith recently revealed the mantra that ensures he and wife Nicole balance their family life and A-list careers

Singapore Airlines has been named the world’s best airline at the ‘Oscars of Aviation’.

The carrier reigned supreme over 325 airlines at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2023, swapping places with last year’s number one, Qatar Airways, which now ranks second, breaking its seven-year streak in the top spot.

In third place, meanwhile, it’s Japanese airline ANA All Nippon Airways.

The leading UK airline is British Airways, which ranks 18th worldwide – sliding down the ranking from 11th place last year. The number one carrier in North America, meanwhile, is Delta Air Lines, which has climbed the ranks from 24th to 20th worldwide.

Fiji Airways is top in the Australia/Pacific ranking and 15th globally, while Qantas is second in the Australia/Pacific ranking and two places behind in the global list, falling from fifth to 17th.

Singapore Airlines has been named the world’s best airline at the ‘Oscars of Aviation’ and dominated in the first-class categories of the contest – it takes the gong for ‘World’s Best First Class’, the ‘World’s Best First Class Seat’ and the ‘World’s Best First Class Comfort Amenities’. Above is a suite that’s part of the carrier’s first-class offering on A380s

Spacious bathrooms in Singapore Airlines’ first-class A380 cabin feature sit-down vanities

It’s the fifth time that Singapore Airlines has scooped the ‘Airline of the Year’ title in the 23-year history of the awards

Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer of Singapore Airlines, said: ‘This award is a testament to the indomitable spirit of our people, who worked tirelessly and made many sacrifices to ensure that Singapore Airlines was ready for the recovery in air travel. That has allowed us to emerge stronger and fitter from the pandemic as a leading international airline.

‘Today… we are firmly committed to innovating and investing in industry-leading products and services and ensuring that Singapore Airlines continues to offer our customers a world-class travel experience.’

It’s the fifth time that Singapore Airlines has scooped the ‘Airline of the Year’ title in the 23-year history of the awards, this year announced at a gala ceremony in the iconic Air and Space Museum at the Paris Air Show, with a large number of airline CEO’s, presidents and senior management in attendance.

Singapore Airlines also dominated in the first-class categories of the contest – it takes the gong for ‘World’s Best First Class’, the ‘World’s Best First Class Seat’ and the ‘World’s Best First Class Comfort Amenities’.

Second-place Qatar Airways, meanwhile, reigns supreme in the business-class section of the awards, taking prizes for the ‘World’s Best Business Class’, the ‘World’s Best Business Class Seat’, the ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge’ – the Al Mourjan lounge at Hamad International Airport – and the ‘World’s Best Business Class Lounge Dining’.

Qatar Airways ranks second in the global airline ranking, breaking its seven-year streak in the top spot

Qatar Airways reigns supreme in the business-class section of the awards, taking prizes for the ‘World’s Best Business Class’. Above is the carrier’s business class ‘Qsuite’ 

The leading UK airline overall is British Airways, which ranks 18th worldwide – sliding down the ranking from 11th place last year. Above is the carrier’s first-class offering 

British Airways has been named as the 10th best airline for families globally 

Tenth place in the global low-cost ranking goes to Jet2.com – making it the best low-cost airline in the UK

Third-place ANA All Nippon Airways also scoops the award for the ‘World’s Cleanest Airline’ for the third consecutive year.

Looking to the rest of the top 10, Emirates ranks fourth overall, while also claiming the gong for the ‘World’s Best Premium Economy Seat’.

Japan Airlines is fifth globally and dominates the economy class categories of the awards, taking the prize for ‘World’s Best Economy Class’ as well as the award for the ‘World’s Best Economy Class seat’.

Turkish Airlines is sixth globally and receives the award for the ‘Best Airline in Europe’. Not only that but it’s been recognised for its ‘very high’ catering standards, snapping up both the ‘Best Business Class Catering’ and ‘Best Economy Class Catering’ awards.

Air France takes seventh place in the global ranking, with the carrier’s first-class offering earning it the gong for the ‘Best First Class Airline Lounge’, ‘Best First Class Lounge Dining’, and ‘Best First Class Catering’.

Eighth place goes to Cathay Pacific, which also takes the crown for the ‘World’s Best Inflight Entertainment’.

In ninth place in the global ranking, it’s EVA Air, which has also won the award for the ‘World’s Best Premium Economy Class’ – the cabin it invented more than 30 years ago.

Tenth place, meanwhile, is handed to Korean Air.

The number one carrier in North America, is Delta Air Lines, which has climbed the ranks from 24th to 20th worldwide. Pictured is a ‘Delta One’ business-class cabin on a Boeing 767

Delta takes the gong for ‘Best Airline Staff Service for North America’

Turkish Airlines is sixth globally and receives the award for the ‘Best Airline in Europe’. Above is the airline’s business class on a Boeing 777 

Turkish Airlines has been recognised for its ‘very high’ catering standards, snapping up both the ‘Best Business Class Catering’ and ‘Best Economy Class Catering’ awards

Moving to the budget airline ranking, AirAsia has yet again been named the ‘World’s Best Low-Cost Airline’, a title it has earned each year since 2010.

Second place in the low-cost ranking is Scoot, which also wins the ‘World’s Best Long Haul Low-Cost Airline’ award, while in third place it’s Indian airline Indigo and Saudi carrier Flynas is fourth.

Spanish airline Volotea is fifth in the low-cost ranking, making it the best budget airline in Europe – ‘one of the most competitive low-cost airline markets in the world’, the awards notes.

Transavia France is sixth in the budget ranking, while U.S carrier Sun Country Airlines is seventh worldwide and the recipient of the ‘Best Low-Cost Airline in North America’ gong for the first time.

Japanese airline ANA All Nippon Airways comes third globally. Above is ANA’s business class offering – a seat known as ‘The Room’, which comes complete with a closing privacy door and aisle access 

Emirates ranks fourth overall, while also claiming the gong for the ‘World’s Best Premium Economy Seat’. Above is the Mail’s Harriet Sime in an Emirates premium economy seat, which she put to the test earlier this year

U.S carrier Southwest Airlines is eighth in the global low-cost ranking, while ninth place goes to Latvian carrier airBaltic, which also snaps up the ‘Best Airline in Eastern Europe’ award.

Tenth place in the global low-cost ranking, meanwhile, goes to Jet2.com – making it the best low-cost airline in the UK.

EasyJet takes 11th place in the low-cost ranking, 12th place goes to Vueling Airlines and Ryanair – which last year ranked as Europe’s number one budget airline – is 13th.

Fiji Airways is top in the Australia/Pacific ranking and 15th globally

Looking at other gongs that have been handed out in Europe, Finnair has been named the ‘Best Airline in Northern Europe’ and the ‘Cleanest Airline in Europe’.

Virgin Atlantic takes home several prizes – the gong for the ‘Best Business Class in Europe’, the ‘Best Premium Economy in Europe’ and the ‘Most Family Friendly Airline in Europe’, a new category for 2023.

Austrian Airlines, meanwhile, snaps up prizes for the ‘Best Airline Staff Service in Europe’ and the ‘Best Cabin Staff in Europe’, and Greek carrier Aegean Airlines has been named the ‘Best Regional Airline in Europe’.

Across the Atlantic, other awards garnered by top-ranking U.S airline Delta include the gong for ‘Best Airline Staff Service for North America’.

Air France takes seventh place in the global ranking, with the carrier’s first-class offering earning it the gong for the ‘Best First Class Airline Lounge’, ‘Best First Class Lounge Dining’, and ‘Best First Class Catering’. Above is the airline’s first-class cabin

Alaska Airlines has been declared the ‘Best Regional Airline in North America’ while Canadian airline Air Transat has been named the ‘World’s Best Leisure Airline’. Air Canada takes the crown as the ‘World’s Most Family Friendly Airline’.

Elsewhere in the awards, Kuwait Airways has been named as the ‘World’s Most Improved Airline’, while Garuda Indonesia has been awarded for having the ‘World’s Best Cabin Staff’.

The winners of the Skytrax World Airline Awards are decided by a huge passenger satisfaction survey. This year over 100 customer nationalities participated in it, with the 2023 Awards based on 20.23million eligible survey entries. The online survey operated from September 2022 to May 2023.

For more information visit www.worldairlineawards.com.

Brendan Fraser cosies up to girlfriend Jeanne Moore as they sport complementary blue ensembles at a charity gala in New York City

By Olivia Devereux-evans For Mailonline

Published: 04:40 EDT, 11 May 2023 | Updated: 05:21 EDT, 11 May 2023

Brendan Fraser looked loved-up with girlfriend Jeanne Moore as he attended the Skin Cancer Champions for Change Gala in New York on Wednesday evening.

The actor, 54, who recently won an Oscar for film The Whale, wore a blue suit jacket, and linked arms with Jeanne as they walked the red carpet together. 

He added a crisp shirt and matching trousers to the dapper ensemble, also sporting light blue brogues. 

Meanwhile, makeup artist Jeanne looked stunning in a silky blue dress and glittering gold heels, grinning at the event. 

The couple were all smiles as they prepared to head into the charity occasion. 

Loved-up: Dapper: Brendan Fraser looked loved-up with girlfriend Jeanne Moore as he attended the Skin Cancer Champions for Change Gala in New York on Wednesday evening 

It comes after Brendan spoke about what’s next for him after the success of The Whale at the Greenwich International Film Festival earlier this month. 

He said: ‘At the moment, I don’t have anything — I’m really being picky right now’, according to People.

Brendan was there to be honoured for his work and his philanthropy as part of the  festival’s first ever Inspiration Talk and award.

ESPN’s Hannah Storm, 60, interviewed the Critics Choice Award winner during the event in which he opened up about many aspects of his life and career, including how he prepared from his role in The Whale.

Brendan said as he prepared for the role of Charlie, he contacted the non-profit Obesity Action Coalition, according to Greenwich Time. 

‘Their mandate is to treat the story with dignity and respect. And that meant everything from the design of Charlie’s body to the way that characters speak, everything’, he explained to the audience.

The foundation arranged for him to meet with 10 people over Zoom and the journeyman actor said he discovered one thing that each of them had in common. 

They had all been on the receiving end of degrading comments from an adult.

Dapper: The actor, 54, who recently won an Oscar for film The Whale, wore a blue suit jacket that complemented his girlfriend’s outfit 

Stylish: He added a crisp shirt and matching trousers to the dapper ensemble as he prepared to head into the charity event 

‘It just exemplifies what sets the pattern of shattering a young person’s confidence and then coupling them with all sorts of reasons, they can find themselves, like Charlie, eating to medicate,’ he contended.

 ‘By repressing the pain down inside and internalizing trauma with food, it reflects how much they feel externally. And Charlie is the personification of that. So, I felt a sense of obligation to the role as their voice and as their champion.’

Elsewhere, Brendan made his red carpet debut with Jeanne in September 2022 at the Venice International Film Festival. 

Jeanne is his first public relationship since splitting from wife Afton Smith, who he shares three sons with, in 2007.

Making it public: Brendan made his red carpet debut with Jeanne in September 2022 at the Venice International Film Festival (pictured)