Mel Giedroyc lands two nominations in British Podcast Awards

Mel Giedroyc has secured two spots on the shortlist for this year’s British Podcast Awards, a development that could raise the profile of her two shows ahead of the ceremony on 1 October 2026 at indigo at The O2. The double nomination signals that Giedroyc’s forays into comedy‑talk and interview formats are resonating with a sector that, according to the awards body, now counts 180 podcasts across 29 categories.

What the nominations cover

Giedroyc’s first nod comes for Where There’s a Will, There’s a Wake, a self‑produced series distributed by Sony Music Podcasts. The programme, which blends personal anecdotes with a semi‑scripted exploration of grief and humour, landed in the “Best Comedy Podcast” bucket alongside titles such as Fin vs History and The Guilty Feminist. Her second nomination is for Mel and Sue Should Know By Now, an Audible‑hosted interview show that pairs Giedroyc with her longtime co‑host Sue Perkins to dissect pop‑culture moments. Both entries appear under the “Best Comedy Podcast” category in the official shortlist published by the British Podcast Awards.

Media additions

How the shortlist was compiled

The shortlist, revealed on the awards website, was assembled by an independent judging panel that considered factors such as audience reach, originality and production quality. The panel’s decision to include Giedroyc in two slots reflects a broader push to acknowledge creators who straddle multiple formats. “Having two entries from the same creator is rare but not unprecedented,” the awards organisers noted in their press release, adding that the move highlights the “versatility of today’s podcast talent.”

Why the double nod matters now

Beyond personal acclaim, the nominations arrive at a moment when the British podcast market is expanding rapidly. Radiotoday reports that this year’s shortlist features a mix of established broadcasters – including the BBC, the Economist and Sky News – and independent producers, indicating a diversifying ecosystem. Giedroyc’s presence alongside heavyweight names such as Louis Theroux and Katherine Ryan underscores the growing legitimacy of comedy‑talk podcasts in a space once dominated by investigative and documentary series.

Industry observers also point to the awards’ “Spotlight” and “Specialist” Editor’s Choice categories, which celebrate podcasts with more than 100 000 downloads per episode and those serving under‑represented voices, respectively. While Giedroyc’s shows have not been listed in those categories, their inclusion in the main comedy list places them in contention for broader audience exposure and potential sponsorship deals.

Timeline of key dates

• 23 July 2026 – Shortlist announced, including Giedroyc’s two nominations (source: Beyondthejoke and Radiotoday).
• 30 July 2026 – Spotify opens public voting for the Listeners’ Choice Award; the top 20 podcasts will be revealed by 28 August.
• 1 October 2026 – Winners announced at the ceremony in London’s indigo at The O2.

What to watch next

Listeners interested in following Giedroyc’s award trajectory have two clear options. Where There’s a Will, There’s a Wake continues its weekly releases, each episode pairing personal storytelling with guest interviews. Meanwhile, Mel and Sue Should Know By Now rolls out a fresh season of deep‑dives into cultural milestones, from the rise of reality TV to the legacy of classic British sitcoms. Both podcasts are available on major platforms – Sony Music Podcasts for the former and Audible for the latter – and will likely see a spike in streams as the October ceremony approaches.

Broader industry context

The British Podcast Awards this year mark the fourth consecutive ceremony to feature a “Listeners’ Choice” component powered by Spotify, reflecting the growing influence of audience voting in an industry that traditionally relied on jury panels. According to the awards website, the public voting window closes on 28 August, after which the final line‑up for the Listeners’ Choice shortlist will be revealed. This structure gives creators like Giedroyc a direct line to their fan base, potentially turning a nomination into a win.

In addition to the comedy category, the shortlist showcases a range of genres: historical deep‑dives such as Jane Austen’s Paper Trail, investigative series like Legend: The Bruce Springsteen Story, and niche productions such as The Cockney Yiddish Podcast. The diversity of entries highlights how podcasts have become a mainstream medium for both mass‑market entertainment and specialist content, a trend that analysts say will fuel further commercial investment.

What the awards could mean for Giedroyc

Winning a British Podcast Award often translates into higher advertising rates, increased platform promotion and, in some cases, opportunities for cross‑media projects. While Giedroyc has already built a television résumé that includes the beloved sketch show Mel & Sue, a podcast win would cement her status as a multi‑platform talent. “The ceremony is a key date for the UK podcasting community,” the awards organisers noted, “and a win here can open doors beyond the audio world.”

Should Giedroyc secure a trophy in either category, the likely ripple effects could include an expanded production budget for future series, potential brand partnerships, and heightened visibility for her co‑host Sue Perkins, whose own podcasting profile has been on an upward trajectory.

Looking ahead to the ceremony

The ceremony on 1 October will be streamed live on the awards’ official website, with a shortlist of presenters announced in the coming weeks. Among the expected hosts are veteran broadcasters from the BBC and the Chortle comedy circuit, although specific names have not yet been confirmed. Industry insiders suggest that the event will feature a blend of live performances and pre‑recorded segments, reflecting the “festival‑like” atmosphere that recent ceremonies have adopted.

For fans of Giedroyc and the wider podcasting community, the next few weeks will be a test of both critical and popular opinion. The votes on Spotify will gauge listener enthusiasm, while the judges’ final decision on 1 October will crown the year’s standout productions. Either way, Mel Giedroyc’s double nomination places her at the centre of a conversation about the evolving role of comedy in the UK’s audio landscape.