Dame Deborah James’ podcast You, Me and the Big C, has been honoured at the British Podcast Awards winning the champion prize.
James, who hosted the podcast alongside Rachael Bland and Lauren Mahon, died last month aged 40 after receiving end of life care for bowel cancer at home. Bland died in September 2018 aged 40, nearly two years after being diagnosed with breast cancer.
Mahon, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2016 and created the series with her co-presenters in 2018, told the audience at Kennington Park in south London on Saturday: “I don’t think there are many podcasts that you could say would be standing up here whose co-hosts are not with them because they have died of the subject matter, but that is why we do what we do.
“We knew it was a risk when we started it and it is something that we will continue to champion.”
James went on to raise millions of pounds for charity through her Bowelbabe fund.
Other winners included Coiled, a podcast that explores Black Afro Hair hosted by Leanne Alie, which took home the prize for moment of the year.
Decode, which analyses the lyrics, beats and social context of UK rap music, was the recipient of both the smartest podcast and best entertainment podcast awards. Dear Daughter was awarded best family podcast as well as the podcast of the year award.
The BBC World Service series was created by Namulanta Kombo and aims to offer life lessons and advice created by letters from listeners.
Kombo said: “Making the podcast has been a defining moment for me. I stepped out of my comfort zone and wholeheartedly went for it. We created something special that resonates with people all over the world. We want to be heard and we want the best for the people we love. Winning podcast of the year is an incredible feeling and a huge honour.”
The rising star prize was given 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, was awarded to British Scandal, in which hosts Alice Levine and Matt Forde tell the stories of the murkier side of the British elite such as the Profumo affair in the 1960s.
