Outstanding contribution accolade for the producer who died this month

The BBC honoured prolific comedy producer Bill Dare at their annual Audio Drama awards last night.

The creator of Dead Ringers, The Now Show and others was recognised with  the outstanding contribution award.

Dare died earlier this month, at the aged of 64, while a passenger in a road accident aboard. 

Paying tribute, Julia McKenzie, BBC Radio 4’s commissioner for comedy, said: ‘Bill Dare's contribution to comedy is unparalleled. He brought joy to so many listeners and his unique talent is hugely missed. This award is a tribute to his legendary status and the immense impact he had on comedy, at BBC Radio 4 and beyond.’

In another posthumous award, the second series of Janey Godley’s The C Bomb, about the aftermath of her cancer diagnosis, was named best sketch or stand-up comedy show. 

And there was a special commendation in this category for Munya Chawawa’s Election Doom Scroll.

Travis Jay’s Rum Punch was named best sitcom or comedy drama, based only on a pilot episode that aired last March. A full series was subsequently commissioned and is due to air soon.

In it, the comic plays Marley, a conflict-averse aspiring boxer who works in his parents’ Caribbean restaurant.

The award for best comedy performance went to Rosie Cavaliero for Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis’s The Train At Platform 4

The BBC’s chief content officer, Charlotte Moore, said at the ceremony: ‘For over 100 years, the BBC has been a pioneer in audio drama, and today we remain the largest commissioner of audio drama globally – and our commitment to new writing remains unparalleled. 

‘In the last year alone we’ve featured the work of 30 new writers and broadcast 118 new titles, ranging from single dramas to ten part series.

‘While we celebrate our rich heritage and legacy, we must also embrace the evolving digital audio landscape to ensure the continued success of audio drama and its home on BBC Sounds. 

‘We will persist in championing new writing and talent, providing opportunities for emerging voices as well as established names across our networks, to deliver the very best to our listeners. I’m thrilled that the new 90-minute play slot on Radio 4 will bring the power of long-form audio drama to many millions more listeners.’

Her comments come after a protest from a number of writers lamenting the decision to axe  Radio 3’s 90-minute drama slot.

Published: 31 Mar 2025