Top radio award for festive special

The team behind I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue have won radio’s top comedy accolade.

Their Christmas Day special, I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Christmas Carol, was awarded the Comedy Award at the Sony Awards last night.

Humphrey Lyttleton, Barry Cryer, Graeme Garden, Tim Brooke-Taylor, Stephen Fry, Andy Hamilton, Jeremy Hardy, Tom Hawks, Sandi Toksvig and Linda Smith all took part in the festive edition.

Making their decision, judges said it was “a stunning cast performing a blistering script - only really possible on radio.

“This show took a long established, very successful format to a higher level - an excellent blend of the regular format and zany style of I'm  Sorry I Haven't A Clue with A Christmas Carol."

The silver award in the category went to Radio 2’s Jammin, written by Robin Ince and Dave Cohen and starring Rowland Rivron and Richard Vranch.

Its citation read: "A comedy for music lovers that really works. A new format which has found its feet very quickly. It’s different - fresh and great fun."

Bronze went to Punt and Dennis’s Now Show on Radio 4. Judges said: “"Its so difficult to keep up a high standard with cutting edge observations on topical material - The Now Show team set the standard for others to follow. Proving you can get humour out of the most depressing of news. There's something for everyone in this show."

Also nominated were Jeremy Hardy Speaks To The Nation “a performer at the top of his game - laughs and thoughts in one place”) and Radio Wales sitcom DIY (“great characters, pacey well written script and plenty of laughs”)

Yorkshire-based stand-up Toby Foster had been nominated in the entertainment category for his BBC Radio Sheffield category.

On the night he lost out to Jono Coleman & Harriet Scott from London’s Heart 106.2, but judges said: "Toby has a delightfully straightforward style of communication. He shows that you don't need a zoo format or a big production team to be entertaining.

“The humour is everyday, but not ordinary, and connects directly with the listener."

Published: 13 May 2004