Dame Denise Lewis dazzled as she attended the 2025 Powerlist Celebration Of Black Excellence Awards in London on Friday evening.
The heptathlete, 52, cut an elegant figure in a blue gown as she arrived at the event, which took place at the lavish Grosvenor House Hotel.
Her eye-catching dress featured a chic square neckline and ruffles on the shoulders.
She accessorised with a statement gold necklace, matching gold earrings, a silver watch, and a small black back.
The beauty appeared in high spirits as she posed for snaps at the star-studded event.
Dame Denise Lewis, 52, dazzled as she attended the 2025 Powerlist Black Excellence Awards in London on Friday evening
The heptathlete cut an elegant figure in a blue gown as she arrived at the event which took place at the lavish Grosvenor House Hotel
Denise was also joined by Dean Forbes, who has been named the UK’s most influential black person – replacing Edward Enninful in the top spot.
He cut a dapper figure in a classic black tuxedo, which he teamed with a black bow tie and black shiny shoes.
On receiving the prestigious title, he said: ‘To be named number one on the Powerlist is an incredible honour.
‘My journey, from growing up in southeast London to leading global businesses, has shown me the power of resilience, the importance of community, and seizing every opportunity.
‘I hope my story can inspire others from similar backgrounds to believe in their potential and work hard to achieve their dreams.’
He added: ‘My journey was shaped by those who believed in me and opened doors, and now I’m determined to pay it forward.
‘I want to provide opportunities for young people who, like me, need that extra support to achieve their potential. This mission is deeply personal to me.’
Dean’s wife Danielle attended the spectacular event and stunned in a gorgeous black floor-length gown that featured an upper-thigh slit and small train.
Denise was also joined by Dean Forbes at the event
Dean has been named the UK’s most influential black person – replacing Edward Enninful in the top spot
Dean’s wife Danielle attended the spectacular event and stunned in a gorgeous black floor-length gown that featured an upper-thigh slit and small train
Denise and Sir Lenny Henry posed for snaps together
The co-CEO of Forbes Family Group completed her look with black heels and accessorized with a silver watch over black elbow-length gloves.
Also at the glitzy event in west London was Sir Lenny Henry, Baroness Valerie Amos, Rudolph Walker, Tim Campbell and his wife Jasmine.
The Powerlist Black Excellence Awards honours the powerful people of African, African-Caribbean and African-American heritage in Britain.
The list was started in 2006 to showcase black role models to young people across sectors including business, science, technology and the arts.
Newcomers added to the Powerlist this year include the creator of Netflix’s global hit show Supacell, Andrew ‘Rapman’ Onwubolu and star of the hit crime drama Snowfall, Damson Idris.
Other champions name-dropped on the exclusive list include actor Idris Elba OBE, TV presenter and former England football player Alex Scott MBE and rapper Stormzy.
Baroness Valerie Amos and Rudolph Walker attended the awards ceremony
Tim Campbell and his wife Jasmine were also at the event
The event comes after Denise penned a heartbreaking tribute to One Direction star Liam Payne after his tragic death at the age of 31.
The Olympic Gold Medalist star is married to Steve Finan – who was Liam’s manager for several years – and she has been regarded by some as the former One Direction star’s ‘fairy godmother’.
Denise and Steve were at Liam’s side through some of his most difficult times – including his fall-out with Cheryl – and he would often stay at their home as they battled to keep him sober.
Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, Denise shared an emotional tribute to Liam with a collection of photos of the pair over the years – and wrote that his ‘dark storms’ have now passed.
Denise thanked the late singer for ‘being so sweet’ with her children and said he was ‘more loved than you could grasp’.
‘Okay. Here goes….’ she wrote. ‘I know it’s real and you’re not coming back. So here’s to you – the real you.
Denise penned a heartbreaking tribute to Liam Payne after his tragic death at the age of 31, sharing a collection of snaps from their friendship on Instagram on Tuesday
‘Kind, funny, annoyingly daft but more talented than you believed, more loved than you could grasp.
‘The dark storms have passed and all that is ahead of you is sunshine. You deserve that.’
She added: ‘Thank you for being so sweet with my kids, the big kid in you always knew what to say to make them laugh. Rest well bab… Wolvo & the world weep.’
In snaps shared by Denise, Liam was seen enjoying days out golfing with her family and attending birthday parties.
He was also seen in a picture with Denise’s 22-year-old daughter Lauren as they posed with singer Rita Ora.
Liam fell from a third floor of a hotel in the Argentinian capital of Buenos Aires last Wednesday evening, before medics confirmed his death.