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I Don’t Take Requests, the memoir by Tony Marnoch – known as DJ Fat Tony – published by Coronet in May 2022 has won the inaugural Book Award at the Virgin Atlantic Attitude Awards.
Announced at a ceremony at the Roundhouse in Camden, London, hosted by Michelle Visage, the prize was presented to Marnoch and co-author journalist Michael Hennegan by Courtney Love. This is the first year that an Attitude Award has gone to a book that has made a significant difference to the LGBTQ+ community.
DJ and LGBTQ+ activist Marnoch said: “Both myself and Michael Hennegan are beyond honoured to receive this inaugural Attitude Book Award.
“I can’t tell you how much it means to me to be accepted for a lifetime of complete and utter chaos and recognised for a future of redemption. To know that people have read and heard my story – a story which at times was so hard to put down in words – means the absolute world. Thank you.”
Publisher Hannah Black, who acquired the book in 2021, described DJ Fat Tony as “an absolute force of nature”. She said: “We are all so proud of the sheer determination, courage and quite a lot of front he’s shown in telling his story – the good and the bad – in a way that has resonated with so many. Let’s give him an award every day.”
Attitude Magazine’s editor in chief Cliff Joannou also commented: “I first met Fat Tony when he was one of the headline DJs at the infamous Trade club in the late 90s. He was an unstoppable force, both behind the decks and as a character on London’s already outrageous queer club scene. Every night out with him felt like the last night on earth.
“When he got sober, it was only just the beginning of his story, and what a story. From being an outspoken advocate on addiction to seeing his DJ career continue to grow from strength to strength, Tony’s story is as equally inspiring as it has been shocking. A truly deserved Attitude Award winner.”