Comedian and actor Alistair McGowan will host this year's Asian Awards to be held next week.

The event in partnership with Global Citizen, returns for a sixth year on Friday 8 April at Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London.

Eligibility for the Founders Award will now be based on contribution to the Asian community, irrespective of cultural background which this year will remember Mother Teresa.

Paul Sagoo Founder of The Asian Awards, has opened out the prestigious Founders Award to people of awards said: “Although the premise of The Asian Awards is to give people of Asian origin a platform to be recognised, we also see it as our responsibility to be culturally inclusive.

"For this reason we have opened out the prestigious Founders Award to honour those whose work has had a direct contribution/impact in Asia or among people of Asian origin, irrespective of their cultural background.”

The Asian Awards is working with Global Citizen as their official charity partner for the event. Global Citizen is a movement of millions of people campaigning to end extreme poverty by 2030.

The Global Citizen platform - globalcitizen.org - allows millions of people to learn more about today’s biggest issues, and take targeted actions to fight extreme poverty and inequality around the world.

Discussing the partnership, Amy Agnew, Europe Director, Global Citizen said: “Global Citizen is both excited and honoured to be the official charity partner of the sixth annual Asian Awards.

"The Asian Awards have blossomed into a voice and sounding board for the Pan Asian community, celebrating not only successes, but also sharing achievements and stories of inspiring people."