The Epson Celebrity Dad of the Year award, now in its third year, rewards the celebrity dad who, throughout the year, has demonstrated the ability to excel in both his work and family life. With the majority of previous nominees living their lives in the public eye, it is essential that they are seen to be both a hard working and a loving dad.

The competition for the Epson Celebrity Dad of the Year 2005 is sure to prove an even bigger success than in previous years with a whole host of new, and some less than new, celebrities battling it out for the prestigious title.

Each year the celebrity dad chosen by the public is invited to an award ceremony in London where he is presented with the prestigious Epson Celebrity Dad of the Year award. This year’s ceremony will be held in time for Father’s Day on Sunday 19th June.

Last year, the 2004 award threw up a joint victory as top TV and radio personality Jono Coleman and Ground Force star Tommy Walsh came first among the long list of celebrity dads.

Since launching in 2003 when Bryan McFadden was awarded the title, the public has voted for an array of British celebrity dads coming from television, music and sporting backgrounds.
Perennial favourites such as Real Madrid star David Beckham, father to Brooklyn, Romeo and most recently Cruz, has had the public voting for him every year. As has celebrity chief Jamie Oliver whoseprofile has risen hugely since the opening of his famous restaurant Fifteen and the launch of his healthier school dinners campaign supported by his hit Channel 4 show Jamie’s School Dinners.
Other interesting nominees in the past have included political figures such as Tony Blair and Gordon Brown who between them have five children, as well as Prince Charles who, regardless of the constant criticism over his love life, still managed to receive a number of votes last year placing him in the top 10.

New celebrity dads to join the list this year will no doubt include former T4 presenter and current Radio 1 DJ Vernon Kay after his model wife Tess Daly gave birth to their first child, Phoebe, last year. Top comedian Peter Kay, GMTV presenter Ben Shepherd, Southampton ace Jamie Redknapp and Coldplay front man Chris Martin who has a nine-month-old daughter Apple with Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow, are also likely to make their first appearance in the nominations after becoming dads for the first time since last June.