2025 SSM Radio Times Readers’ Award
Every year the Sandford St Martin Awards partner with the Radio Times to host a special competition in which members of the public can vote for their favourite programme exploring religious, spiritual and ethical themes.
This year’s vote is open until 26th May at 11:59pm, with the winner being announced at the awards ceremony on 17th June.
Read on to find out more about this year’s nominees or click here to cast your vote.
Better off Dead? BBC1
As the UK considers legalising the right to die, this documentary on assisted dying, authored by Silent Witness actor and disability rights activist Liz Carr, was an unflinching account of the right to life.
Suranne Jones Investigating Witch Trials, C4
Suranne Jones turned from drama to documentary to tell the story of the notorious Pendleton witch trials, part of a pattern of persecution that swept Europe 400 years ago during an age of religious ferment. She asked if fearful leaders in search of scapegoats in tumultuous times are capable of launching witchhunts today.
Ramadan: A Journey Around Britain, ITV
Journalist Shehab Khan followed Islam’s holy month, which is observed by many of Britain’s four million Muslims. Talking to people around the country, Khan discovered how identity and spirituality are expressed during Ramadan.
Gareth Malone’s Easter Passion, BBC1
He may be tackling Handel’s Messiah this year, but everyone’s favourite choirmaster has Easter form. In 2024 Garth Malone took eight enthusiastic strangers from total unfamiliarity with classical music to performing Bach’s St John Passion in just 11 weeks, engaging not just with the discipline of choral singing but also the emotional power and significance of the Passion story.
Eid Live/Celebrity Eid, BBC1
From Bradford Central Mosque, Jason Mohammad presented the BBC’s landmark coverage of Eid – the first time the act of worship had ever been shown live by a mainstream UK broadcaster. He also met celebrities, including the standup comics Shazia Mirza and Fatiha El-Ghorri, who explained what Eid meant to them.
Word of God, BBC Radio 4
In this podcast series, art sleuth Ben Lewis unravelled the complex story of the evangelical billionaire Green family’s mission to build a Museum of the Bible in Washington DC and how it became embroiled in controversy around fake, stolen and looted artefacts.
To vote in this year’s competition