Star-studded final line-up announced for 2026 Scaffolding Excellence Awards
The final celebrity line-up has been confirmed for the 2026 Scaffolding Excellence Awards, with comedian and television presenter Dara Ó Briain set to host the event alongside special guests Rachel Riley, Kym Marsh and Phil Tufnell.
Bringing together some of the biggest names from comedy, television, entertainment and sport, the line-up promises to make this year’s awards a memorable celebration of the very best of the scaffolding and access industry.
Dara Ó Briain to lead the celebrations
One of the UK’s and Ireland’s most recognisable comedians, Dara Ó Briain will take centre stage as the main host.
Best known for presenting the long-running BBC comedy panel show Mock the Week, Dara has also fronted programmes including Robot Wars, Stargazing Live, Blockbusters and Dara Ó Briain’s Go 8 Bit. His combination of quick wit, intelligent comedy and audience interaction has also made him one of the most successful live stand-up performers of his generation.
Dara continues to enjoy a hugely successful live career. His previous tour, So… Where Were We?, sold out 173 venues across 20 countries and was named Best Tour at the 2023 Chortle Awards. His latest show, Re:Creation, has since played to sold-out audiences across the UK, Ireland and Northern Europe, with further international dates scheduled during 2026.
He is also returning to television with a new comedy entertainment series, Dara’s Dull Appreciation Society, announced in June 2026.
Rachel Riley joins the line-up
Joining Dara will be mathematician and television presenter Rachel Riley MBE, best known as the numbers expert on Channel 4’s Countdown, a role she has held since 2009. She is also a familiar face to comedy fans through 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
Away from television, Rachel has become a prominent campaigner for Holocaust education and against antisemitism. She was awarded an MBE for this work and, in October 2025, received the Freedom of the City of London in recognition of her contribution to Holocaust education and antisemitism awareness.
Her mix of mathematical expertise, broadcasting experience and quick-fire humour has made her one of Britain’s most recognisable television personalities.
Kym Marsh confirmed as special guest
Actress, presenter and singer Kym Marsh will also be appearing at the 2026 awards.
Kym first rose to national fame as a member of pop group Hear’Say before establishing a hugely successful acting career. She is particularly well known for playing Michelle Connor in Coronation Street for more than a decade, winning a number of accolades during her time on the soap, including Best Female Dramatic Performance at the British Soap Awards.
More recently, audiences have seen her as Nicky Walters in BBC drama Waterloo Road and as a presenter on Morning Live.
Her busy career has continued into 2026, with Kym starring alongside Lisa Faulkner in the world premiere stage adaptation of psychological thriller Single White Female. The production embarked on a major UK and Ireland tour during the first half of the year.
Cricket favourite Phil Tufnell completes the celebrity line-up
Completing the line-up is former England cricketer and much-loved television personality Phil “Tuffers” Tufnell.
Phil enjoyed a distinguished international cricket career as a left-arm spin bowler, taking 121 Test wickets for England. One of his most memorable performances came at the Oval against Australia in 1997, when he took 11 wickets and was named man of the match.
Since retiring from professional cricket, he has become just as well known for his broadcasting career and distinctive sense of humour. His television appearances have included A Question of Sport and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, while he has remained closely connected to the game as a cricket commentator and pundit.
In 2026, Tufnell continues to be part of the BBC’s cricket coverage, providing expert analysis for The Hundred alongside a line-up of former international players
With Dara Ó Briain at the helm and Rachel, Kym and Tuffers joining the celebrations, the 2026 Awards bring together an impressive mix of comedy, entertainment, sport and television talent. The celebrity line-up will add to a night dedicated to recognising outstanding achievement, innovation, professionalism and excellence across the scaffolding and access sector.
Tickets for the 2026 Scaffolding Excellence Awards are selling out quickly, and anyone planning to attend is encouraged to book a table or tickets as soon as possible.
