POP impresario Louis Walsh brought the star quality to the 2015 Irish Post Awards when he was among those honoured in London last night.
"Ireland is the best small country in the world," he said as he picked up the Outstanding Contribution to the Entertainment Industry Award.
He also hinted at a possible return to X Factor, adding: "I could be back. Simon called during the week and said he wanted to talk but I still have no contract."
This year's Awards, which also marked 45 years for The Irish Post newspaper, were attended by a host celebrities, stars and Irish personalities who turned out to celebrate.
Among those who walked the red carpet were designer Paul Costelloe, BBC 2013 Apprentice winner Dr Leah Totton, comedian and Father Ted star Ardal O’Hanlon, singer Cerys Matthews, Star Wars producer Gary Kurtz, author Jeffrey Archer as well as Calum and Alex Best.
The evening was hosted by broadcaster Eamonn Holmes who picked up a surprise award on the night to celebrate 35 years in broadcasting.
The Belfast native looked stunned when his wife and This Morning co-host Ruth Langsford arrived to present him with his award as a showreel of his telly highlights was played in front of over 600 guests at the London Hilton on Park Lane.
"It brought a tear to my eye," he admitted afterwards.
Irish Post Awards host Eamonn Holmes was presented with a surprise award by wife Ruth Langsford Picture: Malcolm McNallyCelebrated actress Fionnula Flanagan took home the Outstanding Contribution to the Film & Television Industry accolade.
Marking an incredible 50 years on stage and screen, the Dublin-born LA-based actress said: "Beverly Hills is a very strange place, I'd much rather be in Ireland. I'm an Irish woman first and foremost."
The Outstanding Contribution to Sport Award was posthumously awarded to footballer George Best and was accepted by his son Calum.
Receiving the award from his father's former wife Alex, he said: "This is for my dad, this is for our Belfast boy."
"Best by name, best by nature, maybe the best player in the whole world," host Eamonn Holmes added.
Alex Best, Eamonn Holmes and Calum Best, who accepted a posthumous Irish Post Award for his father George Best. Picture: Malcolm McNallyFor all the pictures from this year's Awards see this week's The Irish Post - out Wednesday, October 28
The Outstanding Contribution to Business in Britain Award went to brothers Brian Comer and Luke Comer of The Comer Group.
The Galway brothers, who began their career as plasterers in Ireland, came to Britain in the 1980’s and established The Comer Group.
It has since become one of the largest property groups in Britain, with assets worth £2.5billion across Europe and the US.
Former MP Chris Ruane received The Irish Post Community Award.
With a political career spanning almost two decades, Chris Ruane has dedicated his political career to speaking out on behalf of the voiceless.
The son of an Irish navvy with family roots in Galway, Chris grew up in the Welsh coastal town of Rhyl.
A committed constituency MP, he also became a leading voice for the Irish community during his time in Westminster.
Irish charity Console were this year’s Awards chosen charity, with proceeds from the night’s exclusive raffle going to the national suicide prevention charity founded by Paul Kelly in 2002 following the death of his sister Sharon, aged 21 through suicide.
The charity has grown to become one of the leading National Suicide prevention Charities in Ireland and now also operates two centres in Central London, which were officially launched in the House of Lords last week.
This year's keynote speaker was Kingsley Aikens, founder of Diaspora Matters.
The Irish Post’s InBusiness 2015 magazine was also launched at last night's Awards - the annual publication is a go-to directory of Irish leaders, connectors and influencers in Britain.
The Irish Post Awards 2015 and Business Gala Dinner are sponsored by Allied Irish Bank GB, The Color Company and media partner CityAM.
Held annually, the Awards celebrate the success of Irish people across a variety of industries including sport, the arts, entertainment, business and community.
Additional reporting by James Mulhall
