S Poddar
The late Dr. Michael Mosley, one who sensationalised the 5:2 diet, has been included in the Hall of Fame at the British Podcast Awards. This is posthumous. The podcast “Just One Thing” was what earned it a place in the illustrious hall. Just One Thing airs on BBC Radio 4 and is about giving listeners simple tips that are backed by science. The idea being, very simple, these should improve the life of the listener.
The recipient was Mrs. Dr. Clare Bailey Mosley, wife of Michael Mosley, who was awarded in a moving ceremony held in London. One of her first public appearances since her husband’s shocking death in June, he died of natural causes while walking through the Greek island of Symi. “I want to express my sincerest gratitude for all the many expressions of love, kindness, and help that I and my family have received,” said Dr. Clare Bailey. She commented, “The outpouring to me and my family over the last three months has shown us it wasn’t just the podcast they loved but also Michael too.”.
Dr. Mosley’s podcast, Just One Thing, was launched in 2021 and really fast became one of the listener’s favorites. It covers everything from the possibility that how taking cold showers can enhance your health to learning how to play an instrument to improve your brain function. Mosley had the knack of explaining all such ideas in a readable, engaging form so that complex scientific insights could reach a rather broad audience.
Dr. Bailey said, “Michael knew that Just One Thing really connected with people. He loved the simplicity of the format and being able to genuinely help people.” Mosley was happy spending hours in their home recording the podcast – often this involved a cupboard – while he could bring coffee and help him with sound effects. She concluded her speech with emotional words reminding the audience how to appreciate every moment in life. “Life can be shorter than you ever imagine, so if there is one thing you do today, hug your loved ones, tell them they are loved, never take time for granted.”.
Hall of Fame was a new category of the British Podcast Awards in 2023. The inaugural inductee is My Dad Wrote a Porno, but its newest addition is Just One Thing, which will show that Dr. Mosley truly leaves an indelible mark as a much-needed transformative figure in broadcasting and health education.
Such was the festival of wins by the BBC at the year that was British Podcast Awards when it carried off no fewer than 12 awards in 28 categories. However, notable ones included Jordan Dunbar’s Blood on the Dancefloor, which scooped the Best True Crime and Best Documentary categories. The podcast tells the largely unknown story of Darren Bradshaw, a gay police officer shot dead in Northern Ireland in 1997, and the fight against prejudice experienced by the LGBT community in the Troubles.
BBC’s Marianna Spring was one of the stars of the night at the awards, winning Best Host for her podcasts, including Marianna in Conspiracyland, Why Do You Hate Me?, and Americast. Investigations that she made into misinformation and social media have set Marianna apart in podcast journalism.
Other honours went to Legend: The Joni Mitchell Story, marking Best Arts and Culture, and Miss Me?, presented by Lily Allen and Miquita Oliver, Best Entertainment. And George the Poet won Best Factual Podcast with his Have You Heard George’s Podcast?, widely praised for the intelligent and nuanced examination of crime and music within his community.
One of the highlights of the evening was when Jordan North and William Hanson took home the Listeners’ Choice Award for their podcast Help I Sexted My Boss. As voted by the public, purely and simply, this speaks well to their fanbase. This year, they became the first UK podcast to broadcast a live show into cinemas around Europe.
Meanwhile, the podcast of the year will go to Audible’s Press Play, Turn On, hosted by Amelia Lander-Cavallo, an audio-erotica podcast and creators and disabled listeners’ operating device for bringing to light the relatively unexploited niche from an unheard perspective.
Another notable winner was Rory Stewart and Alastair Campbell’s The Rest Is Politics, winning the Podcast Champion award because of its influence on the world of podcasting. It has managed to be a constant chart-topper since its initial broadcast hit the airways and pleased a cross-section of listeners.
The British Podcast Awards celebrated once again the immense talent and creativity in the UK’s podcasting landscape while giving tribute to the voices that continue pushing the boundary and telling wonderful stories. Notable contributions from Michael Mosley when leaving behind a legacy in his work related to public health and podcasting, stands out as a poignant moment for the evening. His memory lives on in the form of continued success for Just One Thing.
