Old-time favourites Beryl and Betty wow radio judges

Beryl Renwick, 86, and Betty Smith, 90, who have a weekly hour each Saturday on BBC Radio Humberside, picked up the prize for best entertainment programme at the Sony Awards in London last night.

The two – the eldest nominees – were recruited after their cheeky chatter caught the ear of BBC producer David Reeves when they were touring the studios in Hull in 2006.

The judges said: “They give a voice to a sector of society unrepresented on radio, and do it with a joy that puts many of their fellow broadcasters to shame.”

Another successful pair were football pundits Andy Gray and Richard Keys, who got best sports programme for their Talksport show – which they were offered after being dumped by Sky Sports for raucous off-air remarks about referee Sian Massey and other females in football.

The Sony judges said: “In their debut year of broadcasting on British radio they have become a must-listen for serious sports fans.”

Fearne Cotton got the best music programme award for her show on BBC Radio 1.