Entertainment

Manchester and London terror attack programmes win gold at radio awards

Gold, silver and bronze prizes were handed out to the best performers of the year in the industry.
Gold, silver and bronze prizes were handed out to the best performers of the year in the industry.

Programmes covering the Manchester Arena and London Bridge terror attacks have scooped prizes at this year’s Audio and Radio Industry Awards (Arias).

The ceremony, held in Leeds on Thursday, handed out 23 gold, silver and bronze awards to programmes and individuals for outstanding work in the industry over the last 12 months.

Stephen Nolan’s London Bridge Attacks for BBC Radio 5 Live picked up gold, while Key 103’s The Manchester Bombing won best community programme and its Manchester’s Response To The Arena Attack special was named best coverage of an event.

Elsewhere in the line-up Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac was named best non-breakfast music presenter and Andrew Flintoff was picked as best new presenter following his work on BBC Radio 5 live.

The station’s Flintoff, Savage And The Ping Pong Guy programme was labelled best podcast.

The BBC also claimed wins for national radio station of the year (BBC 1Xtra) and local station of the year (BBC Radio London).

Strictly Come Dancing star Gemma Atkinson also scooped an honour, winning the bronze prize for best new presenter in light of her work on Key 103.

There was also a bronze medal for The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, which came in third for best breakfast music presenter, behind Absolute Radio’s The Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show in first and JACKfm Oxfordshire’s JACK’S Morning Glory in second.

Camilla judges writing competiton
Evans’ breakfast show scored bronze (Nick Ansell/PA)

The event was hosted by radio presenter Scott Mills and included performances from Busted, The Fratellis, The Bog Moon and Sigrid.

Roger Cutsforth, chief executive of organisers The Radio Academy, said: “We are delighted to be back in Leeds for the second year running with our partners, LeedsBID for an even bigger, better Arias.

“We’ve added more categories, with more shortlisted for each award, ensuring the depth and breadth of our industry is celebrated. With an entry bag which more than doubled this year, competition was very stiff.”