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Catching up with the winners from The Golden Lobes Awards – Part 1!
The Golden Lobes Awards took place on 7th May at The Clapham Grand, London.
Created by the team behind Cheerful Earful, the global festival of funny podcasts, The Golden Lobes shine a spotlight on the creators and shows that keep audiences laughing week after week.
There were 13 award categories in total: Best Blooper, Best Tangent, Grower, Not a Shower, Best Social, Funniest Student podcast, Best Guest, Best Listener Moment, Earworm Award, Best Live podcast, Best Scripted Show, Best Artwork, The Big Ears Award and The Listener’s Lobe. For the full list of winners, see here.
We asked the organiser of the awards, Giles Gear, about what it was like to run the event:
“The Golden Lobes celebrate the funniest podcasts, people, and moments in the audio world. They began as an idea that grew out of our festival, Cheerful Earful, which is now entering its fourth year. It was hugely important to us that the Lobes were affordable (£25 to enter unlimited categories), accessible (just 5 minutes of audio required, keeping the barrier to entry low), and fun (because putting together your best bits shouldn’t feel like a chore). I personally get fed up seeing established awards charging nearly £100 just to enter or even attend the night.
What started as a mad November idea and a few chaotic WhatsApps culminated in a fantastic inaugural awards night at The Clapham Grand this May. We had a huge range of shows involved – from big networks and the BBC to indie favourites and even podcasts with only a handful of listeners. Any show that brought the laughs, regardless of genre or size, was welcomed with open arms.
The evening was a runaway success, with Frank Skinner kindly saying: ‘The Golden Lobes was a fun night out: none of the cheesy nonsense of more established awards ceremonies, nor anywhere near as long. It was just a bunch of very funny people saying very funny things. British comedy podcasts seem to be in a great state.’ We saw such a wealth of winners, and what started as a mad spin-off from our festival may well become the thing that endures. We’re already cooking up wild ideas for 2026 and welcome anyone to get involved!”
Today, we’ll hear from some of the award winners to find out more about their podcasts and how they felt about winning a Golden Lobes award.
Best Scripted Podcast
Harford: An Oral History
Who are you and what’s your podcast about?
I’m Dan Hooper, a Welsh comedy writer based in Frome. Harford: An Oral History explores the surreal history of Haverfordwest – known locally as Harford – through its inhabitants. Each episode explores a chapter from the town’s past – from an attempt to build the world’s tallest building to a battle enactment that escalates into a real conflict. My aim is to create something layered and strange – like stumbling onto a late-night radio broadcast. I didn’t want this to follow the usual chat or interview format. The Guardian called it “brimming with dry wit and unlikely twists,” and The Observer described it as “punchy” and “crackling with bible-black, absurd, twisted humour.”
Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?
The Funeral, it tells the tale of a group of teenagers finding a new hangout spot – the local crematorium. Then years later, one of them returns, becoming entangled in a long-buried family feud, a mistaken funeral, and an overly convoluted cover-up.
What does winning a Golden Lobes Award mean to you?
The chance for more people to listen to the show and to finally own a statue in the shape of an ear.
Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?
All you need to know about me is weaved into the podcast. Ok, probably not, at least not consciously. Just listen to the show!
Judge’s comments
“Yes. Lovely stuff. Several good gags in a very well-written, involving monologue. What’s lovely here is the commitment to the concept; the world feels real, the writing feels lovingly crafted, and the production feels considered as well. Any laughs here are perhaps on the smaller side, partly because of a seemingly deliberate low-key delivery, but they are there, and they’re worth finding. A real stand-out.”
Best Artwork
Go Home, You’re Drunk!
Who are you and what’s your podcast about?
Go Home, You’re Drunk! is a comedy horror roleplaying adventure which sees a comedian try and find their way home after a night out! The podcast features some of the UK’s best comedians from shows like Taskmaster, Have I Got News For You, QI & Mock The Week. Inspired by Dungeons & Dragons and escape rooms, comedians must roll well and solve puzzles to survive whatever monsters await them on their journey. Can Marcus Brigstocke escape an abandoned tube line? Will Russell Kane get out of a sinister sports bar? Can Sophie Duker survive a boozy art class?! Listen and find out!
Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?
The very first episode starring Jordan Gray is a great place to start, in the episode Jordan has to put a stop to the Chicken Dipper Ripper who is terrorising chicken shops up and down the street! Another perfect introduction would be Nick Helm’s episode, which we were lucky enough to receive a Golden Lobe nomination for, or Alasdair Beckett-King’s episode where he has to navigate his friends’ stag and hen dos whilst being pursued by a terrifying witch called The Hag. Every episode is led stylistically by the guest, so just pick a comedian you love and get listening!
What does winning a Golden Lobes Award mean to you?
It was truly amazing to receive recognition for all the hard work we’ve put into the podcast and we’re very grateful to Cheerful Earful who are such a wonderful organisation. We’re also very excited to be doing our first ever live show with them in London this October!
Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?
Find us on Instagram & X @YoureDrunkPod and check out our website here.
Judge’s comments
“This artwork is really great! The composition of the drawing is excellent with a really clever use of layering and perspective and the type at the top perfectly fits with this. Everything has a really cohesive colour palette that perfectly represents the night time without being too dark or grey. The subject is excellent and is a really creative way of displaying the host’s role in the show and lastly the drawings of the characters are really expressive and well done! I can’t say enough good things about this one it’s just really great!”
Best Blooper
I’ve Had A Rosé, Let’s Talk About Feelings with Sam Lake
Who are you and what’s your podcast about?
Hi, I’m Sam Lake and I’m the host of I’ve Had A Rosé, Let’s Talk About Feelings (I know, the name alone is incredible). Each week, I’m joined by a new guest from the world of comedy. They choose a beverage that comforts them, anything from tea to Tennents. Then we talk about something they’re passionate about and I try to find out how it connects to their feelings and how they manage them. We’ve covered it all: Pokémon, Elvis, Lucozade, Britishness, The Supernatural and OF COURSE Henry Paget, the 5th Marquess of Anglesey.
Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?
To embrace the silly, stupid and giggly core of our show, I’d recommend Episode #32: Espresso Martinis & The Texas Chainsaw Massacre with Phil Ellis. Probably the episode with the most breaking down in uncontrollable laughter. If you want an episode that’s more on the feelings side, proper deep chats, Episode #7: Family & Baileys with Josh Glanc & Episode #27: Rum Punch & D*ck with Sikisa are what you want.
What does winning a Golden Lobes Award mean to you?
We were THRILLED. We’ve only been doing this pod for little over a year and we can’t believe we’re officially an award-winning show. Plus, winning Best Blooper is so on brand for THIS show. And now we have a trophy (and a hole in the studio ceiling) to compliment it.
Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?
Across all social media we are at @ivehadarose where you can find highlights from all our episodes. And to listen to the full episodes, click here.
Or watch our episodes in glorious 4K(ish) on our YouTube channel.
Judge’s comments
“The contrast between Sam’s calming ASMR description to Marjolein shouting “IT’S BAD IT’S BAD IT’S BAD” is just brilliant. And her massive cackle after making a hole in the ceiling – it’s impossible not to laugh at Marjolein’s laugh!
This is such an unexpected live, visual moment that makes you wish you were in the room.”
Best Listener Moment
Single Ladies In Your Area
Who are you and what’s your podcast about?
Comedians Amy Gledhill and Harriet Kemsley are in their 30s and recently single …UH OH! They’re trying to navigate the dating scene… but the landscape has changed.
Everyone insists that you should use dating apps, but are also totally fed up with them.
Dating in your 20s seemed so much easier, but didn’t we just run head first towards red flags?
And with children and busy careers taking up most of your time, what if you’re just… tired?
These are questions and challenges that our hosts tackle headfirst, as they attempt to unlearn the (toxic) education on love, sex and relationships they endured in the 00s, and laugh themselves through the current dating world. They’ll speak to experts and friends, talk about dates they’ve been on and share your dating horror stories to try to figure it all out, so we all feel less alone!
Which episode would you say is the perfect introduction to your podcast?
Episode 15: Pubes, periods and bumping into your ex with Chloe Petts
What does winning a Golden Lobes Award mean to you?
We are thrilled to have won a Golden Lobe award. Thank you to everyone who has listened so far!
Where can Pod Bible readers find out more about you?
On IG at @singleladiespod, @thatamygledhill, and @harrietkemsley.
Judge’s comments
“I loved the rapport between Amy and Harriet and even though I’m not single anymore, I definitely want to check out their show now to reminisce about dating disasters of past. I almost spat out my drink at the reveal moment in this listener story and they had me laughing throughout the piece.”
For more information on The Golden Lobes Awards see the Cheerful Earful website.
