John Humphrys wins Sony Radio Award for DG interview

Today programme presenter John Humphrys has won a Sony Radio Award for his grilling of former BBC boss George Entwistle over the Savile scandal.

Mr Entwistle was widely criticised for his performance in the interview on BBC Radio 4 and resigned hours later.

Humphrys won the journalism award and Today became a double winner with the honour for best breakfast programme.

BBC Radio 5 live won the prestigious radio station of the year ahead of Classic FM and the BBC's Asian Network.

Humphrys said in his acceptance speech: "I thought he [Entwistle] dealt with that interview with grace and elegance.

"He was in a difficult place but he dealt with the questions, he didn't duck and dive, he was honest. And then he went and resigned."

Organisers called the 69-year-old broadcaster "a giant among radio news journalists".

Radio 5 live also won the award for best events coverage for London 2012 and the station's Olympics show with Peter Allen and Colin Murray was named best sports programme.

The judges said: "5 live reflected the drama and passion of some amazing events through the Jubilee and the Olympics, but also delivered really ambitious and difficult journalism."

Danny Baker won the best entertainment show award for his Radio 5 live programme, just months after quitting his BBC London slot after hearing it was going to be axed.

DJ Steve Lamacq, of BBC 6 Music, was described as "one of radio's true legends" as he was given a special award for his contributions.

Cerys Matthews, also on 6 Music, was named top music radio broadcaster, while Radio 4's Eddie Mair was speech radio broadcaster of the year.

The Sony Radio Academy Awards, regarded as the Oscars of the UK radio industry, introduced a new Golden Headphones award for the most popular presenters decided by public vote.

This was won by Radio 1 newcomers Dan Howell and Phil Lester.

There was also a nomination for best sports programme for 11-year-old Mary Holmes for Mary And The Minstermen on BBC Radio York - a documentary about York City FC's season which included two appearances at Wembley.

Winners in full:

• Station of the Year (under 300,000) - KL.FM 96.7

• Best Feature or Documentary - Bruising Silence (BBC Radio 1)

• Best Speech Programme - Witness (BBC World Service)

• Best Competition - Coca-Cola Fan Reporter (talkSPORT)

• Best Music Feature or Documentary - The Story of Ed Sheeran (BBC Radio 1)

• Best Entertainment Programme - The Danny Baker Show (BBC Radio 5 live)

• Best News & Current Affairs Programme - BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat (BBC Radio 1)

• Best Promotional/Advertising Campaign - The Gothic Imagination (BBC Radio 4)

• Radio Journalism of the Year - John Humphrys (BBC Radio 4)

• Best Community Programming - Ciaran's Cause (Real Radio North West)

• Best News Feature or Documentary - The Bombardment of Homs (BBC World Service)

• Best Use of Multiplatform - Radio 1's Review Show (BBC Radio 1)

• Best Use of Branded Content - The Christian O'Connell Breakfast Show with Wickes (Absolute Radio)

• Best Coverage of a Live Event - London 2012 : The Olympic & Paralympic Games (BBC Radio 5 live)

• Special Award - Steve Lamacq

• Sony Golden Headphones Award - Dan Howell and Phil Lester (BBC Radio 1)

• Best Music Programme - The Dermot O'Leary Show (BBC Radio 2)

• Best Comedy - Isy Suttie: Pearl and Dave (BBC Radio 4)

• Best Drama - The Resistance of Mrs Brown (BBC Radio 4)

• Music Radio Personality of the Year - Christian O'Connell (Absolute Radio)

• Music Radio Broadcaster of the Year - Cerys On 6 (BBC 6 Music)

• Speech Radio Broadcaster of the Year - Eddie Mair (BBC Radio 4)

• Breakfast Show of the Year (under 10 million) - Sam & Amy (Gem 106)

• Breakfast Show of the Year (10 million plus) - Today Programme (BBC Radio 4)

• Best Station Imaging - BBC Radio 2

• Best Sports Programme - 5 Live Olympics with Peter Allen and Colin Murray (BBC Radio 5 live)

• Station of the Year (300,000 to 1 million) - BBC Radio Humberside

• Station of the Year (1 million plus) - Metro Radio

• UK Station of the Year - BBC Radio 5 live

• UK Radio Brand of the Year - Classic FM

• Gold Award - Richard Park