Derek is Specs Wearer of the Year

Derek Dubery from Banbridge says he's 'totally amazed' to have been named this year's Specsavers Spectacle Wearer of the Year at the UK and Ireland's premier celebration of spec-tacular glasses wearers.

The 50 year-old specs wearer took to the stage to receive the award at a star-studded event hosted by The Xtra Factor’s Rylan Clark, at 8 Northumberland Avenue in London.

As well as the coveted trophy, he won a luxury trip for two to New York, courtesy of Icelolly.com, a whopping £10,000 cash prize and £1,000 glasses wardrobe from Specsavers.

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After receiving his prize from television presenter and former Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt, at the glittering event on October 11, Derek said: “I’m totally amazed and really delighted to pick up the top award.

“It really just hasn’t sunk in yet – it’s such a surreal experience.

“It was a hugely enjoyable evening and fabulous to meet so many famous names,” he said.

Chosen by an expert panel of judges including The X Factor icon Louis Walsh and specs style gurus Oliver Proudlock and Grace Woodward, Derek beat six other finalists to take the coveted top title.

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Monies from awards entries, sponsorship, ticket sales and a luxury raffle were wholly donated to children’s anti-bullying charity Kidscape, raising £88,000, bringing the total raised by Specsavers for the charity in the last seven years to £418,000.

Celebrities were also rewarded on the night with singing sensation Nadine Coyle winning Best Specs Newcomer, Capital FM’s George Shelley receiving the Specs Style Award, and antiques guru David Dickinson taking home the Services to Specs award – in honour of his decades of proud glasses wearing.

David said: “ I’m delighted to receive this prestigious award, and hopefully this will let me see things in a whole different light!”

Singer Nadine Coyle who picked up her first pair of specs this summer, said: “I feel honoured to be part of something that celebrates people who wear glasses whilst also raising money for Kidscape, a wonderful charity and cause that is really important to me.”

Other specs-wearing stars were in attendance, including Joey Essex, Twiggy, Denise Van Outen, Sinitta, Chloe Madley and boyfriend James Haskel, and Pete Wicks.