6 Music's Cocker wins Sony 'Rising Star'

Jarvis Cocker secured the 'Rising Star' prize at last night's 2010 Sony Radio Academy Awards for his show on troubled station BBC 6 Music.

During a ceremony at London's Grosvenor House Hotel, the former Pulp singer was recognised for his Sunday Service programme on the BBC's digital-only station, despite only starting the show in January.

Cocker beat strong competition for the award from Silk FM's James Lister & Dave Chipman, Absolute Radio's Max Dickins and Waqas Saeed from 6 Music's sister station the Asian Network, which is also facing the axe under BBC plans.

Former winners of the award, which is voted for by the public, have included 6 Music's George Lamb and Kerrang's travel reporter Singing Henry.

"For the third year running, the 'Sony DAB Rising Star' award has celebrated and recognised the best and most talented emerging broadcasters that this country has to offer, and this year is no exception," said Sony UK managing director Steve Dowdle.

"We'd like to congratulate Jarvis Cocker on winning the award for 2010, particularly during this time of uncertainty for the station. His engaging and unique style, coupled with his music taste and knowledge makes Jarvis a big favourite and has allowed him to walk away with this year's people choice award."

Elsewhere, 6 Music's Adam Buxton and Joe Cornish won the 'Best Comedy' prize, and the Asian Network's weekday afternoon presenter Nihal secured the 'Best Speech' programme award.

The trio of wins will provide a boost for the campaign to save 6 Music and the Asian Network, which is supported by listeners, musicians and the creative industries. Following the Sony wins, the two stations are likely to see a significant upsurge in their weekly listening figures.

Other winners at the awards included Sir David Attenborough scooping 'Speech Broadcaster Of The Year' and BBC Radio 5 Live winning the 'UK Station Of Year' prize ahead of Absolute Radio and TalkSport.

Radio 4 took home six awards in total, including 'Breakfast Show Of The Year' for the Today programme and 'Interview Of The Year' for Jenni Murray's Baby P interview with Sharon Shoesmith.

Radio 1 presenter Zane Lowe enjoyed a double success by winning 'Best Specialist Music Programme' and 'Music Broadcaster Of The Year'.

However, there was only one major prize for Radio 2, which was in recognition of Dermot O'Leary's Saturday afternoon show.

Johnny Vaughan and Lisa Snowdon's Capital Breakfast Show won 'Best Entertainment Programme' as part of 12 awards in total for the commercial stations.

National music network Absolute and the Real Radio group gained two awards each, including the latter scooping 'Breakfast Show Of The Year' for stations with fewer than 10m listeners.

'Digital Radio Station Of The Year' went to Planet Rock for the second time running, while the night's prestigious 'Gold Award' was given to long-standing BBC DJ Trevor Nelson.