For the ninth time, the Audio Radio Industry Awards are returning for another grand event, honoring the most prominent figures and emerging talents in the radio sector again.
TopMob enthusiastically collaborates with The Radio Academy, giving the public an opportunity to decide the most memorable event of the year by casting their votes for the winner!
2021 has seen a tough battle among contenders, filled with amusing and endearing instances unique to an audio medium, as well as heartfelt themes, and even a heated political discussion thrown into the mix.
Which one gets your vote?
You have until May 1st, 2025 to exercise your right to vote, and keep in mind that after clicking, your vote will be automatically submitted. So, make certain of the candidate you wish to support before you proceed.
Interviews by Laura Rutkowski and Simon O’Hagan.
The nominees are…
Sunday Love Songs remembering Steve Wright, on BBC Audio for BBC Radio 2
Six days following Steve Wright’s passing in February 2024, Liza Tarbuck offered an emotional homage to her friend and fellow radio host during his Sunday Love Songs segment on Radio 2. “It feels both joyful and sad to be nominated for this category,” she expressed. “If only Steve were still with us.” She described a wave of emotion surrounding him. Upon being asked to fill in, she didn’t hesitate. Steve always prioritized his listeners, providing them a secure space to express their feelings, and now it was her turn to do the same because he had taught her how to be a broadcaster. There is no one in her life whose opinion she respected more. They often shared their passion for broadcasting, and she dearly missed that camaraderie.
Frank Off the Radio first, on podcast
Frank Skinner, who’s known for his long and prestigious career as a beloved comedian on TV and radio, admits that coming up with the perfect title for his podcast Frank Off the Radio gives him nervousness. In a charming moment, he brainstormed numerous titles, leaving co-hosts Emily Dean and Pierre Novellie in amused disbelief. As Frank puts it, “I was still yearning for my radio show. I felt like I had passed away and was now conversing with my loved ones through a medium.” In the video clip, he mentions that he’ll do a more polished version next time, but this one is simply hard to improve upon.
Mishal Husain challenges Home Secretary James Cleverly, on BBC Radio 4
During his tenure as Home Secretary, James Cleverly appeared on the Today program and faced questions from Mishal Husain regarding accusations about inappropriate language he’d supposedly used towards someone. The episode left Owenna Griffiths, the editor of that particular edition, speechless. Griffiths recounted that although they had planned for Mishal to inquire about Cleverly’s reported use of a vulgar term, even in the House of Commons, neither of them anticipated the conversation would unfold as it did. This encounter significantly enhanced Mishal Husain’s standing as one of the most exceptional interviewers in our contemporary time.
Coldplay go Orange for Luton, on BBC Three Counties Radio
When it was announced that Coldplay would perform at Radio 1’s Big Weekend in Luton, Justin Dealey posed an intriguing question to his listeners: wouldn’t it be surprising if they played “Yellow”, given that Luton Town FC is orange and their rivals, Watford FC, wear yellow? What followed was a humorous campaign urging Coldplay to make a change. Dealey suggested they might alter one of the “yellows” in the song to “orange”, but instead, Coldplay’s Chris Martin penned a new song titled “Orange,” dedicated to Luton Town. As Dealey, a long-time Luton supporter, explains, he never anticipated anything would come from it. However, events unfolded organically: Greg James, who was set to introduce Coldplay on stage, received a message from Chris Martin about Luton’s less-than-favorable reputation in the media. Dealey believes that the people of Luton deserved this moment, having endured years of hardship, and with the Premier League success paving the way for a massive festival in their town.
Johnnie Walker bids farewell at the end of his final show, on BBC Radio 2
The story of DJ Johnnie Walker dates back to his time as a trailblazer in pirate radio during the 1960s. After his passing in December, he hosted his last show on Radio 2 just three months prior, with his executive producer Paul Thomas remembering his sign-off: “He was resolute about making his final broadcast one of the best, despite battling a severe illness. He devoted his strength to selecting the music, starting with George Harrison’s What Is Life and ending with Judy Collins’ rendition of Amazing Grace. In a sincere and emotional farewell, he bid adieu to his legion of devoted fans.
Marjorie Taylor Greene blames media for Trump assassination attempt, on Times Radio
During the 2024 Republican National Convention, U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia spoke with Times Radio’s Jo Crawford. She accused the media of fueling division in America and made baseless accusations against Crawford, such as “You’re responsible for nearly causing President Trump’s assassination.” Afterward, she abruptly left. Crawford responded, “It’s bizarre to be nominated for someone yelling at you, but I’ll accept it!” Crawford added, “I was shaken up after the encounter. The one positive thing I can say about Marjorie is that she underscores the importance of having competent journalists who keep politicians accountable.
“I want my mum to die” interview with Stuart George, on BBC Radio Stoke
In a segment focusing on dementia, a man identified only as Allen shared his experience of caring for his 100-year-old mother who was suffering from the condition. He expressed a desire for her passing, feeling it was his duty to do so. However, Allen revealed that he had been abused by his father and felt his mother failed to intervene. Stuart George, who interviewed Allen, empathized with him, stating that such feelings are quite common but seldom discussed. The most rewarding aspect of George’s work, he added, was hearing stories like Allen’s where individuals open up about their experiences, something they rarely do elsewhere. Following her death, Allen expressed a mix of guilt and relief over his comments regarding his mother’s passing.
Evan Davis challenges then Chief Secretary to the Treasury Laura Trott, on BBC Radio 4
During an appearance on PM with Evan Davis, some politicians need to be well-versed in economics to hold their ground. It seems that Laura Trott, then Chief Secretary to the Treasury, was not one of them, as she struggled to refute Davis’s gentle correction about her incorrect statements regarding the national debt. This created a thrilling radio experience. Natasha Shallice, editor of PM, recounted the situation: “I thought, ‘This is astonishing.’ Nowadays, interviews with politicians often seem overly rehearsed and bland. It’s unusual to find a moment without a prepared response, but here was one where there was genuine risk. It was an edge-of-your-seat listen – even more so because Evan isn’t known for being confrontational; he always maintains composure. I believe we might invite her back sometime when things have cooled down a bit!
Early morning presenter Dan Noble responds to the far-right protests that broke out in the summer of 2024, on Absolute Radio
Last summer, various British towns and cities saw demonstrations from far-right groups, leaving Dan Noble, a presenter for the station Absolute, unphased. As he drove to work, contemplating the chaos, he found himself questioning, “What’s going on here?” Dan is of mixed race, with his mother hailing from India, and he wondered if his listeners were even aware of this aspect of his identity. Friends began sending him messages saying, “Be careful,” which left him perplexed. Suddenly, he felt a sense of responsibility to speak out. After completing his show, he took a deep breath before voicing his thoughts. His supervisors, Rob and Paul, were extremely supportive, recognizing the importance of Dan’s actions. At just 26 years old, Dan had already achieved remarkable opportunities at Absolute, making this situation all the more significant for him.
A listener calls Cristo Foufas’s show to thank him for saving his life, on Talk, News UK
Cristo Foufas, while hosting his last breakfast show at Talk, received a heartwarming call from Simon in Bristol. Four years ago during one of Foufas’ late-night shows in lockdown, Simon had reached out because he was contemplating suicide. Foufas, who saw his radio show as a lifeline for the lonely, spent at least 20 minutes on the phone with Simon. The power of off-peak, unscripted radio during those hours was evident, and it marked one of Talk’s finest moments. Foufas had been thinking about Simon since their conversation, and was touched when he unexpectedly received a call from him. Simon thanked Foufas for saving his life, but Foufas humbly replied that it was Simon who took the initiative to save himself by reaching out. The gesture was both humbling and kind of Simon to acknowledge Foufas’ role in his recovery.
The 2025 ARIAS take place on Wednesday 14th May.
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2025-04-08 02:35