Wood wins brace of radio awards

7 July 2011 Last updated at 07:52 GMT Guitarist-turned-broadcaster Wood was also recognised at the Sony radio awards in May Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood has won two prizes at the Arqiva Commercial Radio awards for his Absolute Radio show.

The rocker won specialist programme of the year and newcomer of the year at a London ceremony hosted by his Absolute colleague Christian O'Connell.

The latter won breakfast show of the year, while the lifetime achievement award went to DJ David 'Kid' Jensen.

The awards - now in their 16th year - are organised by RadioCentre, the industry body for commercial radio.

It was a good night for Absolute, which received a further award for David Baddiel and Frank Skinner's World Cub podcasts.

For the fourth consecutive year, Take That received the award for PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited) most played UK artist.

Wood's plaudits follow earlier success at the Sony radio awards in May, where he was named music radio personality of the year.

Jensen, now 61, is currently a host for Smooth Radio, but is better known for his appearances on the BBC's Top of the Pops and Capital radio.

Beverly Knight and Pixie Lott were among the performers, while Baddiel and music producer Pete Waterman were among the presenters at Wednesday night's ceremony.

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'Nazi' jibe radio DJ loses appeal

17 June 2011 Last updated at 10:28 GMT Jon Gaunt was at the High Court last month at the start of proceedings DJ Jon Gaunt has lost his appeal against a High Court ruling upholding Ofcom's 2009 decision to censure him.

The former Talksport presenter, who called a councillor a "Nazi" on air in 2008, took Ofcom to court last year.

He claimed the watchdog's decision to uphold complaints against him in June 2009 was an unlawful interference with his freedom of expression.

Ofcom censured the host under its rules on offensive material after receiving 53 complaints from the public.

Gaunt's contract was terminated by TalkSport in November 2008, 10 days after the exchange with councillor Michael Stark.

Last year Gaunt's lawyers challenged Ofcom's finding that the 2008 interview failed to comply with the broadcasting code.

His legal team argued that Ofcom infringed Gaunt's right to free speech under article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

'Ignorant pig'

But, speaking in July 2010, Judge Anthony May said Ofcom was justified in its conclusion and dismissed legal proceedings.

"The broadcast was undoubtedly highly offensive to Mr Stark and was well capable of offending the broadcast audience," he ruled at the time of the High Court ruling.

"The essential point is that the offensive and abusive nature of the broadcast was gratuitous, having no factual content or justification."

Gaunt's interview with Redbridge councillor Mr Stark took place in November 2008.

The pair had been debating the council's decision to ban smokers from fostering children when Mr Gaunt called Mr Stark a "Nazi", a "health Nazi" and an "ignorant pig".

Mr Gaunt apologised on-air following the exchange, but Talksport sacked the presenter after its own investigation.

The media regulator noted the apology, but later upheld the complaint under the rules regarding offensive material.

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