Aria Awards: Rob Burrow’s BBC Radio Leeds Podcast Seven Triumphs

Former rugby league star Rob Burrow has scooped a number of awards at the UK’s radio and audio industry’s most prestigious ceremony.

Burrow’s podcast Seven, produced by BBC Radio Leeds, won gold awards for Best New Podcast and Creative Innovation at the Radio Academy’s Audio and Radio Industry Awards (Arias).

He also won a silver in the best new and impact presenter categories at the event in London on Tuesday.

Burrow, who has motor neurone disease and speaks with the help of a device that tracks his eye movements, interviewed fellow sportsmen including Wayne Rooney, Jonny Wilkinson and Dame Kelly Holmes on the podcast.

His wife and co-host Lindsey told BBC Radio Leeds on Wednesday: “It was such an honor and (we were) so humbled to win those awards last night.”

The honors were in recognition of “conquering the challenges of motor neurone disease and spreading awareness through the popular medium of podcasting,” she said, adding, “It shows people that anything is possible.”

The second series of Seven, in which Burrow asks sporting heroes seven questions, is due to be released soon.

Other Arias winners included BBC Radio 2’s Scott Mills, who looked stunned to receive the award for best musical entertainment act while in Sweden to commentate on the Eurovision Song Contest.

He received criticism from some listeners after taking over the network’s afternoon slot in 2022.

“Following in the footsteps of one of the world’s best broadcasters like Steve Wright was never going to be easy.” Mills wrote on social media.

“But we will never forget the kindness and generosity Steve extended to us.

“I hope we make you proud Steve.”

Edinburgh’s Forth 1’s Boogie in the Morning beat BBC Radio 2’s Zoe Ball, BBC Radio 1’s Greg James and Virgin Radio UK’s Chris Evans to win Best Breakfast Music Show.

BBC Radio Newcastle’s Matt Bailey beat national networks TalkSport, BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio 4 to win best breakfast show.

BBC Asian Network won UK Network of the Year.

BBC News disinformation and social media correspondent Marianna Spring won best speech presenter.

Charlatans singer Tim Burgess’s Listening Party on Absolute Radio won Best New Radio Show.

John Robins’ BBC Radio 5 Live talk about his alcohol addiction has been voted radio moment of the year in a public vote.

And Annie Nightingale, who died in January after more than 50 years at BBC Radio 1, won the pioneer award.

Aria Gold Award winners in total: