Owner of glamorous Sydney fundraiser reveals cruel reason for celebrities being kicked out of this year's event: 'They're not adding value'

It is considered Australia's most exclusive charity event and brings together Sydney's most glamorous philanthropists each year to raise funds for the Sydney Children's Hospital Foundation.

But the co-chairs of Sydney's annual Gold Dinner have announced bad news for celebrities hoping to attend this year's event.

Gold Dinner co-chair Joshua Penn said in an interview with the Daily Telegraph on Sunday that celebrities would be shunned at the 2024 gala as they “don't seem to add much value” to the event.

“We always get asked to invite celebrities and famous rugby players and put WAGs on the list, but that's not our thing,” Penn explained.

“We've done this before, but it ends up taking up valuable space,” he said, adding that too often the focus is on the celebrity rather than the purpose of the event.

Last year's Gold Dinner saw a host of celebrities walk the red carpet, including cricket WAG Candice Warner, actor Lincoln Younes, Sunrise star Natalie Barr and former NRL star Cooper Cronk.

In the past, celebrities such as Chris Hemsworth, Roxie Jacenko, Ian Thorpe, Hamish Blake and Karl Stefanovic have also appeared on the red carpet.

This prestigious gala event has raised nearly $60 million since its inception in 1997, with last year's event bringing in a record $19.2 million.

The 2024 Gold Dinner has already raised more than $55 million from sponsors and donations ahead of the May 1 soiree.

Funds raised at this year’s gala will help support the redevelopment of children’s hospitals in Randwick and Westmead.

The invitation-only gala is held at a secret location in Sydney and has a unique theme each year.

The theme for 2023 was a modern take on The Wizard of Oz, with a gold carpet inspired by the iconic film's Yellow Brick Road.