An emotional RSPCA video starring Alesha Dixon and a rescue dog named Roy has scooped a major prize at the 2026 Smiley Charity Film Awards.
The four-minute film – produced by the RSPCA’s in-house broadcast team – bagged the prestigious Grand Prix People’s Choice Award at an online award ceremony.
In the film, British singer, dancer and RSPCA supporter Alesha is recorded watching footage on a laptop of Staffy-cross Roy being cruelly attacked by his former owner. The footage is so distressing the RSPCA has not released it to the wider public.
Cowering Roy was being hit and thrown to the floor by a man in an unprovoked attack. His former owner was later prosecuted for his actions.
Alesha admits she is “a little bit nervous” about watching the footage – before being left visibly horrified by the abuse inflicted on Roy.
“The scariest thing is how much this goes on behind closed doors,” said Alesha after watching the deliberate cruelty.
But, in a heartwarming moment, Alesha is then introduced to Roy by RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Charlotte Holder, who helped rescue the dog from his former surroundings. Roy had since been happily rehomed by the charity’s Lancashire East Branch , and Alesha admitted meeting him was “almost like looking at a different dog” – a moment that highlights the role the animal welfare charity plays in turning around the lives of so many pets rescued from deliberate cruelty and neglect.
Last year, the charity’s emergency line took 800,000 calls, and the charity finds new homes for approximately 25,000 pets each year.
Fortunately, Roy now lives happily with owners Daniel Wilson Woodward and husband Jason Woodward Wilson, who live by the seaside in Morecambe with poochie pals Archie and Betty.
Alan Laxton, Broadcast Manager at the RSPCA who led production of the film, said: “It’s a huge honour to have won this award, amid so many other incredible films demonstrating the great work the third sector does.
“It was a huge honour to work with Alesha. Her very different reactions to first seeing footage of Roy’s abuse, and then meeting him after his life was turned around, showcases the sort of the work the RSPCA does every single day, and how we help pets who’ve escaped cruelty and neglect.”
The film – filmed at the charity’s Newbrook Animal Centre in Birmingham – scooped the award after a public vote, after being pitted against a number of other charity films. The voters’ endorsement is “really something to celebrate” for the charity – given the work done in tandem with communities across the country to improve animal welfare.
Alan added: “The fact this film was chosen by the public for this award is really something to celebrate, given how important our work with communities is in improving animal welfare. Our broadcast team will continue to work with our animal rescuers, volunteers and the wider public to create content that showcases how much we can all do together to build a better world for every kind.”
The ceremony took place on April 29.
