BBC Asian Network’s Nihal picks up Sony Radio Award
Last night, BBC Asian Network presenter Nihal won Best Speech Programme at the prestigious Sony Radio Academy Awards.
Held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London, the Sony Radio Academy Awards are considered as the radio industry’s top awards ceremony. Nihal’s show warded off stiff competition from LBC’s Nick Ferrari at Breakfast and BBC World Service’s Witness programme, to come out on top.
The judges backed their decision, stating that Nihal’s show ‘engages its audience so powerfully that you have to stop everything and listen. Quite simply…brilliant.”
Nihal commented: ‘I would just like to say big love to these amazing people, George Mann, Sej, Bill and Kirran. I’d also like to thank Andy Parfitt and my Radio 1 family as well; big love to Zane Lowe, an inspirational broadcaster; Husain Husaini at the BBC Asian Network and Vijay Sharma for the BBC Asian Network; Ben Cooper, thank you for all the support you’ve given me over the years. I'd just like to say that the BBC Asian Network is something that I hold very true to my heart'.
He added: “And lastly, I would very much like to thank my two and half year old son, who today, took an indelible marker out of the nappy bag and drew all over our stairs, all over the carpet on our stairs. He is the reason that I have to keep working!”
Vijay Sharma, Head of BBC Asian Network says: 'It's a real tribute for Nihal’s team to generate excellent phone-ins day after day that debate issues of common interest and concern and really connect with audiences from across the UK. I am really proud and absolutely delighted for the team and the station to win this award this year."
Also at the ceremony, The BBC Asian Network’s ‘Passport to Murder’ picked up the Bronze Award for Best News Special, losing out to Real Radio’s: The Return to Hillsborough and BBC Radio 4’s Crossing Continents: Chechnya.