LBC's Ferrari scoops 5 Sony Radio nods

LBC 97.3's Nick Ferrari has scooped a record-breaking five individual nominations at the Sony Radio Awards, while troubled station BBC 6 Music is up for seven categories.

Ferrari will be in the running for 'Breakfast Show of the Year', 'News Journalist of the Year' and 'Speech Radio Personality of the Year' at the prestigious awards ceremony.

The former Sun columnist is also in contention for 'Best Speech Programme' and 'Speech Broadcaster of the Year'.

In the coveted 'Breakfast Show' category, Ferrari will be up against Kiss Breakfast with Rickie, Melvin & Charlie, Trevor's Nelson's BBC 1Xtra Breakfast Show, Radio 4's Today Programme and 5 Live Breakfast.

Elsewhere, under threat BBC digital station 6 Music gave a strong showing with seven nominations, including 'Music Broadcaster of the Year', 'Best Music Programme', 'Best Comedy', 'Specialist Contributor' and 'Station Imaging'.

BBC Asian Network, which is also facing the axe under BBC plans, has been nominated for 'Best Speech Programme' and 'Best News Special'.

6 Music DJ Lauren Laverne is up for two awards, including 'Best Music Station Personality', but she will face stiff competition in the category from Radio 1's Chris Moyles and Scott Mills, and Absolute Radio's Christian O'Connell.

The public-voted 'Rising Star' award will see 6 Music's Jarvis Cocker compete with Silk FM's James Lister & Dave Chipman, Asian Network's Waqas Saeed and Absolute's Max Dickins.

Commercial network Absolute Radio has been given 11 nominations in total, including 'Station of the Year', but it will face tough competition in the category from TalkSport and Radio 5 Live.

"This is another encouraging year for these awards," said Sony Radio Academy Awards chairman Tim Blackmore.

"Once again the number of entries has increased and the nominations reveal just how broad is the range of radio programming and radio stations that are celebrated by this event,

"The nominated entries represent the very best of UK Radio, and happily there is a very great deal about which we can be very proud indeed."

Gold, Silver and Bronze Awards will be presented on May 10 at London's Grosvenor House Hotel during a ceremony hosted by Radio 2 breakfast host Chris Evans.