The work of cancer campaigners Dame Deborah James, Rachael Bland and Lauren Mahon has been honoured at the British Podcast Awards after their offering – You, Me and the Big C – scooped the podcast champion award.
Dame Deborah, Rachael and Lauren started the podcast in 2018 with the trio, who were all former or current cancer patients, candidly discussing life with, treatment of and other topics relating to cancer.
Racheal died in September that year at the age of 40, two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer, while Dame Deborah died late last month after receiving end of life care for bowel cancer, with the only surviving original host Lauren paying an expletive-laden tribute to Dame Deborah at the event.
Winner: The work of cancer campaigners Dame Deborah James, Rachael Bland and Lauren Mahon (pictued) has been honoured at the British Podcast Awards
The impact of the honest and inspiring podcast, and the work of its presenters and behind the scenes team, was acknowledged at the British Podcast Awards at London’s Kennington Park on Saturday.
Lauren said: ‘Me and Deb had a little joke when Rachael died that I couldn’t just do the podcast by myself because I couldn’t call it Me, Me and the Big C.
‘The podcast is our happy place. It’s a bit surreal to be standing here without both my girls. We knew this was a risk, that some of us would die when we started it, but we wanted to continue to champion it.
Broadcasters: Their offering You, Me and the Big C, made before the deaths of Rachael (left) in 2018 and Dame Deborah (right) last month, scooped the podcast champion award
‘There is more work to be done. I don’t know what it looks like, but the podcast has always been a service.
‘Last time we won at these awards, we dedicated the award to Rachael. I’m so proud to say that this is for Dame Deborah F**king James!’
The ceremony was hosted comedians Elis James and John Robins, with many notable names in the world of podcasting, including Pandora Sykes, Jamie Laing & Sophie Haboo, Sabrina Elba and Jon Sopel, presenting the awards.
Presenters: Idris Elba was in attendance at the awards at London’s Kennington Park on Saturday where his wife Sabrina handed out a gong
Also at the awards, Coiled – a podcast that explores Black Afro Hair – won moment of the year, with host and producer Leanne Alie and assistant producer Sylvie Carlos collecting the award.
Decode took home both the smartest podcast and best entertainment podcast awards. The show delves into the world of UK rap music, analysing the lyrics, beats, and social context of some of the most popular rap albums.
Dear Daughter was awarded best family podcast, as well as the prestigious podcast of the year award, which was previously won by Vent Documentaries in 2021, Brown Girls Do It too in 2020 and George The Poet in 2019.
Summer ready: Sophie Habboo looked stylish in a sheer yellow cardigan and blue denim mini skirt as she prepared to give out an award at the bash
Jamie Morton and James Cooper, of critically acclaimed podcast My Dad Wrote A Porno, presented the rising star award to Kirk Flash, whose comedy podcast This Is Gay examines the darker side of modern gay life.
The spotlight award, which recognises a podcast reaching the masses and was presented by TV doctor Dr Xand van Tulleken, was awarded to British Scandal, in which hosts Alice Levine and Matt Forde tell the stories of the murkier side of the British elite, from Phone Hacking to the Profumo Affair.
James Acaster’s Perfect Sounds scooped the award for best arts and culture podcast, while the best sex and relationships podcast was presented to Assume Nothing: Rape Trial by previous winner Poppy Jay of Brown Girls Do It Too.
Lady in red: Singer Diana Vickers looked elegant in a slinky red dress while confidently posing with her hand on her hip
Assume Nothing: Rape Trial is narrated by Irish-Canadian actress Amybeth McNulty – best known for starring in Netflix drama series Anne with An E and Stranger Things – and explores a court case which caused Northern Ireland to find itself at the forefront of radical reform in the way rape trials are heard.
The listeners’ choice award, which is the only award voted for by the public, went to RedHanded, a true crime podcast hosted by Hannah Maguire and Suruthi Bala – which has won the award once previously.
Other winners included Stories of Our Times for best interview podcast, Money Talks for the best business podcast and Effin’ Hormones for the best wellbeing podcast.
Source: | Dailymail.co.uk