Rob Burrow's podcast wins big at radio awards

Ian Youngs - Entertainment & arts reporter
Lindsey and Rob Burrow with their Aria awards
Lindsey and Rob Burrow picked up their awards at Tuesday's ceremony [BBC]

Former rugby league star Rob Burrow has won a string of awards at the UK radio and audio industry's most prestigious ceremony.

Burrow's podcast Seven, made by BBC Radio Leeds, won gold awards for best new podcast and creative innovation, at the Radio Academy's Audio and Radio Industry Awards (Arias).

He also won a silver in the best new presenter and impact categories, at the event, in London, on Tuesday.

Burrow, who has motor neurone disease and speaks with the aid of a device that tracks his eye movements, interviewed fellow sportspeople including Wayne Rooney, Jonny Wilkinson and Dame Kelly Holmes on the podcast.

His wife and co-host, Lindsey, told BBC Radio Leeds, on Wednesday: "It was just such an honour and [we were] so humbled to have won those awards last night."

The honours were recognition for "conquering the challenges of motor neurone disease and spreading awareness through the popular medium of podcasting", she said, adding: "It shows people that anything is possible."

The second series of Seven, in which Burrow asks sporting heroes seven questions, is due to be released soon.

Scott Mills in the BBC Radio 2 studio
BBC Radio 2's Scott Mills won best music entertainment show [BBC]

Other winners at the Arias included BBC Radio 2's Scott Mills, who appeared stunned to receive the award for best music entertainment show while in Sweden to commentate on the Eurovision Song Contest.

He received criticism from some listeners after taking over the network's afternoon slot, in 2022.

"Following in the footsteps of one of the best broadcasters in the world like Steve Wright was never going to be easy," Mills wrote on social media.

"But we will never forget the kindness and generosity Steve paid towards us.

"I hope we are doing you proud Steve."

Tim Burgess from the Charlatans attending the Radio Academy ARIAS at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, London
Tim Burgess's Listening Party won best new radio show [PA Media]

Edinburgh-based Forth 1's Boogie in the Morning beat BBC Radio 2's Zoe Ball, BBC Radio 1's Greg James and Virgin Radio UK's Chris Evans to win best music breakfast show.

BBC Radio Newcastle's Matt Bailey beat national networks TalkSport, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 4 to win best speech breakfast show.

BBC Asian Network won UK network of the year.

BBC News disinformation and social-media correspondent Marianna Spring won best speech presenter.

The Charlatans singer Tim Burgess's Listening Party, on Absolute Radio, won best new radio show.

BBC Radio 5 Live's John Robins's discussion of his alcohol addiction was chosen as the radio moment of the year, in a public vote.

And Annie Nightingale, who died in January after more than 50 years on BBC Radio 1, won the pioneer award.

The Aria gold award winners in full:

  • Best new presenter - Caroline Steel, BBC Science Radio Unit

  • Best new radio show - Tim's Listening Party, Absolute Radio

  • Best new podcast - Seven: Rob Burrow, BBC Radio Leeds

  • Best speech presenter - Marianna Spring, BBC Radio 4

  • Best speech breakfast show - Matt Bailey at Breakfast, BBC Radio Newcastle

  • Best news coverage - Shiny Bob: The Devil’s Advocate, BBC Scotland News

  • Best sports coverage - GameDay, talkSPORT

  • Best coverage of an event - Windrush 75, Spiritland Productions for BBC Radio 2

  • The comedy award - Laura Smyth: I Don't Know What To Say, BBC Studios

  • Best music breakfast show - Boogie in the Morning, Forth 1

  • Best music entertainment show - Scott Mills, BBC Radio 2

  • Best specialist music show - Free Flow, Prison Radio Association

  • Best music special - 21st Century Folk, 7digital Creative for BBC Radio 2

  • Best factual single programme - File on 4, Jon Holmes, Generation Shame, BBC Radio 4

  • Best factual series - Terri White: Finding Britain's Ghost Children, BBC Radio 5 Live

  • Best drama - The Sisters, Goldhawk Productions for Realm FM

  • Best audio book or reading - Open Throat, BBC Audio Wales and the West of England

  • Best station sound - BBC Radio 1Xtra

  • Best commercial partnership - A Place To Call Home, Audio Always

  • Best local show - Pulse 1 Breakfast with Mylo & Rosie, Pulse 1

  • The impact award - Stoma Swimmer, BBC Radio Newcastle

  • The creative innovation award - Seven: Rob Burrow, BBC Radio Leeds

  • The grassroots award - Three Ways to Save a Life, BBC Radio Manchester

  • Community station of the year - RNIB Connect Radio

  • The John Meyers station of the year award - BBC Radio Manchester

  • UK station or network of the year - BBC Asian Network

  • Moment of the year - John Robins reveals his struggles with alcohol addiction and his journey of recovery, BBC Radio 5 Live

  • The pioneer award - Annie Nightingale

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