Rory Bremner, widely regarded as Britain’s top impressionist, has been announced as the VIP guest presenter for this year’s Women In Meat Industry Awards ceremony, taking place in London on Friday evening 21st November. Rory will be supported by actor, broadcaster and writer Julie Peasgood.
The much anticipated Awards ceremony will return to the 5-star Royal Lancaster Hotel, one of London’s premier event venues, and is expected to be another sell out occasion.
Publisher of Meat Management, Graham Yandell MBE, commented: “As a mimic and TV personality, Rory has provided definitive impersonations of prime ministers and presidents, from Major to Mandela, Blair to Brown, Clinton to Cameron and Bush to Trump.
“And as himself, he’s been presenter, writer, quiz-show host, actor, translator and even briefly, a ballroom dancer when participating in Strictly.”
We talked to Rory about his life and work, and what we can expect when he takes to the stage to present the Women In Meat Industry Awards alongside actor and presenter Julie Peasgood.
Q: You are master of voices, having impersonated some of the most iconic world figures during your career – was it something that you always wanted to do?
A: My first proper impression was of my French teacher. He was extraordinary and his reward for being such a good teacher was that he became the first character I did publicly. His name was Derek Swift; he had a distinctive Bradford accent, and he looked a bit like Bryan Ferry. He changed my life, really. I think he understood how my energies could be and pointed me in the right direction.
There’s never been a plan. I’ve been very lucky. I love what I do. I love performing – it just makes me very happy to make an audience happy. And that’s the greatest thing about this job.
Q: Have you ever counted how many voices you have impersonated?
A: Over the years, it’ll be well over 100. And there are the wonderful survivors, such as David Attenborough. He has become a national treasure and at the age of 99 is continuing to defy the normal lifespan of the human species. When he was younger, he obviously had more energy, but now his voice has got slower, and it’s got more sibilant. People’s voices do change, and you have to reflect that.
Q: Do you have a favourite person in your repertoire?
A: John Prescott. He died at the end of last year, but people still remember him as a character in politics – when we had a Deputy Prime Minister who looked like a National Express coach driver – and I kind of do him as Les Dawson. It’s funny because people enjoy that rather more than they might enjoy a Wes Streeting or Jonathan Reynolds impression. It’s about making people laugh, really.
Q: The Women In Meat initiative recognises the role of women in the industry – what can guests expect from you as the host of the awards ceremony?
A: The most important thing is to relate to the audience and find out beforehand what they do, so you can expect some topical references as well as some old favourites.
The full interview with Rory Bremner will appear in the November issue of Meat Management.
Julie Peasgood has a multi-faceted career as an accomplished actress, TV presenter and producer, travel writer, columnist and events host. She is one of the country’s leading voice-over artists and has been honoured by the Royal Television Society with its celebrated Television Personality of the Year Award.
Gwen Mostyn, editor of Meat Management magazine, commented: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured both Rory and Julie to co-host this fantastic evening as our VIP guests. This unique annual celebration is always a special highlight in the meat industry calendar and this year will be no exception.”
Yandell, added: “We are delighted that our good friend Julie Peasgood has agreed to present the awards ceremony alongside Rory. Julie’s acting career spans more than 50 years of prestigious theatre and television, including five years with the Royal Shakespeare Company, but she is probably best known for having been a regular in no less than three soaps: Brookside, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks.
“I am sure we are going to have a lot of fun at this prestigious event on 21st November and it is a networking occasion not to be missed when great talent from across the industry is recognised and rewarded.”
More information including a history of award recipients can be found at the official website: www.womeninmeatawards.com.
To book tickets or tables at this year’s ceremony click here.
For more information about the Awards click here.
Thank you to the 2025 Women In Meat Industry Awards category partners:
