Podcaster beats star talent to scoop award

Matthew Butler with his award on Thursday

A podcaster from Hull has beaten the likes of broadcasters Annie Mac and Grace Dent to a British Podcast Award.

Matthew Butler's podcast, Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma, took home the silver award in the interview category on Thursday.

He said he was surprised as he thought he "didn't stand a chance".

Described the moment he found out he'd come second, he said: "I jumped up, turned around, looked at the audience, had my arms up. I was really excited, everyone was laughing at me."

This is the podcast's second nomination of the year, having lost out on an ARIA award.

Mr Butler thought his chances of winning a British Podcast Award was even lower because "the competition was even harder this time," he said.

The ceremony was attended by the likes of Gabby Logan, Rylan Clark and Jordan North.

Mr Butler said: "I was rubbing shoulders with some lovely people. All have been really accommodating and really talkative."

Believe in People: Addiction, Recovery & Stigma beat the likes of Annie Mac and Grace Dent.

Mr Butler's podcast - a two-man team of himself and producer Robbie - explores addiction, recovery and stigma alongside guests.

Episodes have featured the likes of Love Island star Adam Maxted, Power Ranger actress Amy Jo Johnson, and singer Michelle Heaton.

The host said they had struggled to "get the podcast out there" because they don't have a marketing team.

"It's been really lovely having our work recognised," he said.

"We never set out to do awards, it was more about profiles of addiction stories, highlighting them and bringing them to the public.

"By getting people with profile and influence on it does help us highlight some of these local stories. That's what we are really aiming to do."

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