The Golden Lobes Podcast Awards, with Adelicious, took place last night in a ceremony at The Clapham Grand.
Organised by the team behind the Cheerful Earful Podcast Festival, the Golden Lobes celebrate comedy podcasts of all shapes and sizes, and this year received over 200 submissions from around the world.
This Paranormal Life, an independently produced show that dives into the strangest supernatural stories with irreverent wit, picked up the biggest honour, The Big Ears Award (Funniest Podcast).
The night also marked the presentation of the first-ever Lobes Legend Award, honouring Frank Skinner for Services to Funny Audio.
A staple of British comedy for over three decades, Frank was recognised for his enduring contribution to audio, from his acclaimed radio show to his more recent podcasting success.
“I had no idea this was going to happen, how lovely. Advice to you, young kids – just don’t die, until at least in your late 60s. How exciting and lovely, thank you all,” Frank said.
Other winners included Harry Hill, who scooped Best Earworm for Are We There Yet? CheapShow, the cult favourite podcast, won Grower Not a Shower, recognising shows that have steadily built devoted followings. Legitimate Likes earned the Listener Lobe, the audience-voted award.
Joe Marler’s Things People Do took home Best Guest for the unforgettable appearance of Josh, a chimney sweep from Bristol. Lateral triumphed in Best Live Show for their debut, perfectly orchestrated performance and Harford: An Oral History was awarded Best Scripted Podcast in a fiercely fought category with 12 nominees.
The evening was hosted by comedians and viral stars Sam O’Leary and Tom Lawrinson. There were surprise appearances from Steven Barlett and Gary Lineker to hand-out some awards, although sources dispute this, saying it was just comedian Mark Silcox in a stripey shirt!
Cheerful Earful founder, Giles Gear, said: “We set out to prove that comedy podcasts – big or small, indie or mainstream – deserve to be celebrated side by side, and last night’s incredible energy proved we’ve done just that.”
Ally Wolf, Manager of the Clapham Grand, added: “The Grand has been on the forefront of pioneering new forms of entertainment since we were built as a variety palace in 1900!
“This has enabled us to stay open and relevant after 125 years – so hosting the first ever comedy podcast awards, an entertainment format which is grabbing the worlds ears (and ours) by storm makes complete (non) sense!”
Full List of 2025 Golden Lobes Winners
Big Ears Award (Funniest Podcast)
Winner: This Paranormal Life
Highly Commended: Brainwash Me with Poppy Hillstead, Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things
Best Guest
Winner: Joe Marler’s Things People Do
Highly Commended: Russell Howard’s Five Brilliant Things, I’m So Not Over It
Best Scripted Podcast
Winner: Harford: An Oral History
Highly Commended: Oz 9
Best Earworm
Winner: Harry Hill’s Are We There Yet?
Highly Commended: 101 Part Time Jobs with Giles Bidder, CheapShow
Best Artwork
Winner: Go Home, You’re Drunk!
Highly Commended: Rural Concerns, Dungeons & Dickheads
Best Blooper
Winner: I’ve Had A Rosé, Let’s Talk About Feelings with Sam Lake
Best Listener Moment
Winner: Single Ladies In Your Area
Highly Commended: 40ish
Best Live Show
Winner: Lateral with Tom Scott
Highly Commended: The Guilty Feminist, Crushed by Margaret Cabourn-Smith
Best Social
Winner: Thots TV
Highly Commended: PastMaster: Reshaping History With AI
Best Tangent
Winner: Ghastly Women
The Listener’s Lobe (Fan Favourite)
Winner: Legitimate Likes
Lobes Legend (For Services to Funny Audio)
Frank Skinner
