BBC Radio Bristol breakfast show wins top award

BBC Radio Bristol's breakfast show has thanked the "best listeners in the world" after winning a national award.

Joe Sims' Proper Bristol Breakfast won the gold award in the Speech Breakfast Show category at the Audio and Radio Industry Awards (ARIAS), pipping other nominees from BBC local radio and Radio 5 Live.

Sims, an actor who is best know for his roles in Broadchurch and Doctor Who, became the lead presenter in 2023.

After picking up the award, Sims said: "What we try and foster is this big beautiful digital breakfast table where everyone can come and say their piece."

Sims paid tribute to the show's listeners and stressed how important it was for people to "disagree agreeably".

"What we need in the world is more nuance, more conversation and listening to people as well as speaking yourself," he said.

"I'm a proud Bristolian and there's nowhere in the world we'd rather be.

"It's a true collaborative effort. I've never worked at a place where I've got so much love for everyone who works there."

He said he was moved listening back to the recent Wake Up Call stories focusing on raising awareness about health issues, which have "saved lives".

Producer Nicki Ledgard, who also attended the awards, said: "Joe's an actor, he's has only been presenter on the radio for three years, so to get this is just so wonderful for the whole team and all of Bristol."

BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Radio Oxford took home the silver and bronze medals in the category.

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