Ross and Brand take top prizes at Sony awards

Published Tuesday 13 May 2008 at 11:55 by Matthew Hemley

BBC Radio 2 presenters Jonathan Ross and Russell Brand have been honoured at this year’s Sony Radio Academy Awards.

Ross won in the category of music radio personality of the year for his weekend breakfast show, beating competition from BBC Radio 1’s Zane Lowe and Heart 106.2’s Jamie Theakston.

The judges said Ross was a “natural communicator” and an “outstanding broadcaster at the very top of his game”.

Meanwhile, Brand won in the category of entertainment show, beating Radio 1’s Scott Mills and Capital Radio’s Johnny Vaughan.

Brand’s show was described by the judges as one that includes “fantastic journeys of the imagination and genuinely laugh out loud moments”.

The award for best drama was presented to Q & A, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and produced by Goldhawk Essential.

Based on the novel by Vikas Swarup, Q & A tells the story of how a penniless waiter in Mumbai becomes the biggest quiz show winner in history.

Elsewhere, BBC Radio 4’s Down the Line, created by former Fast Show duo Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson, won best comedy.

The spoof phone-in show was described by the judges as “beautifully observed with great writing and performances throughout”. It saw off competition from David Mitchell and Robert Webb’s That Mitchell and Webb Sound, which also aired on BBC Radio 4.

The Sony awards recognize excellence across all radio. The ceremony was held in London last night and presented by Paul Gambaccini.