The Isle of Wight’s very own Daily Mirror Visit England Tourism Superstar danced his way on to the stage last night (Monday) to receive his very special award.
Cowes man Jim O’Reilly picked up his award at the Visit England Awards for Excellence in Bath.
Well known as the Red Funnel Dancing Man, Jim came top in a public vote to decide who was the nation’s Daily Mirror Tourism Superstar. Jim polled over 50% of the vote, fending off competition from 9 other entries to the Daily Mirror sponsored event, which saw over 20,000 votes cast for the man with his disco moves at Red Funnel’s Southampton car ferry terminal.
54-year-old Jim was nominated by Visit Isle of Wight, the Island’s destination management organisation.
Jim was presented with the award at a ceremony in Bath, where host and TV personality Kirstie Allsop was joined on stage by Visit England CEO Sally Balcombe and Daily Mirror Travel Editor Nigel Thompson.
When asked how he felt receiving the award at the ceremony this afternoon, Jim said:
“It’s an incredible occasion, I’m truly honoured to be here today and to get this award, it’s been absolutely fantastic, a really great day.”
Jonathan Green, Red Funnel’s Marketing and Communications Director said:
“Jim is an absolute legend and was just the perfect candidate for the Tourism Superstar Award. We are beyond thrilled that the public agreed and are so happy that Jim is getting the recognition he deserves. We are also very grateful to Visit Isle of Wight for nominating Jim in the first place and would like to say a big thank you to all of Jim’s fans for their incredible support.
“Jim will be bringing the Tourism Superstar Award back to very proud team of Red Funnel colleagues who backed him throughout the voting period, and this same team will continue to applaud and celebrate Jim’s incredible work out there every day. We couldn’t be prouder of our amazing Dancing Man!”
Visit England director Andrew Stokes added:
“Tourism Superstar is all about celebrating those individuals within the industry who go the extra mile to ensure tourists in England have an amazing and unforgettable experience.
“I am absolutely delighted that Jim O’Reilly has won this year’s title. He is a deserving winner. Jim continually raises the bar of service in England’s tourism industry demonstrating his passion and injecting fun into his work with the ferries to and from the Isle of Wight.”
