Award after 75 years in the business

Veteran Scottish comedian Stanley Baxter was honoured with a lifetime achievement award last night.

The 88-year old was awarded the honour at the BBC Audio Awards in London – marking his 75 years in the business.

The Glasgow-born star started as a child actor in Children's Hour, and after a lengthy spell in self-imposed retirement, he returned to radio in 2004 in a series of half-hour sitcoms – the latest of The Stanley Baxter Playhouses airing only last year.

He was honoured by Helen Boaden, the director of BBC Radio, who said: ‘These awards celebrate the very best of British audio drama and showcase some of the finest actors, writers and producers in the world.’

At the ceremony, Radio 4 sketch show John Finnemore’s Souvenir Programme won the prize for ‘best scripted comedy with a studio audience,’ triumphing over fellow nominees The Brig Society and Todd en Bratt Say 'Well Done You’.

And best scripted comedy-drama went to another Radio 4 programme, Lunch, written by Marcy Kahan' and starring Stephen Mangan and Clarie Sweeney as a pair of friends who meet for lunch every month and talk about everything except how much they love each other.

Published: 2 Feb 2015