Dermot (Whelan) and Dave (Moore) have been celebrating a major victory. Their popular late afternoon show on Dublin’s 98FM has won top prize in its category, at the New York based World’s Best Radio Programs Festival, for which entries come from stations, networks and independent producers all over the world. The only Irish entrant in the “Best Comedy, Humour and Personality,” category, the duo fought off over 130 entries to scoop the Grand Prix.

“It’s a very big deal for us,” an understandably chuffed Dave Moore tells Hot Press. “Every radio station in the world wants to win at these awards - in fact, RTE have been banging on all week about their wins in various other categories. All the big jocks and shows in the UK are in it to win, so it means a lot to us. We’re absolutely thrilled.”
The pair didn’t actually attend the awards ceremony in New York last week as they had other important business to attend to! “Yeah,” Dave says, “we were in Poland doing the show on the day of the Ireland-Italy match when we heard about it. It was fantastic. At least we had something to celebrate that night despite the result of the match.”
Dermot Whelan adds: “Yeah it’s fair to say that the award was well celebrated by both of us that night. In fact, we probably celebrated next year’s award too, in anticipation (laughs).”
The show, broadcast weekdays between four and seven, is best known for its comedy sketches and lampooning of public personalities. Dermot and Dave started out on the breakfast slot and their routine has evolved over the years. Their influences are varied, but Dermot in particular is a big fan of the UK’s Chris Evans.
“He changed radio when he started out,” he says. “There are other shows such as Amish and Andy over in Australia that would be kind of similar to ours.”
The pair say they’ll try not to let the award go to their heads. “Well, we might be waving the award at the boss if we need some time off,” laughs Dermot.
Dave: “At the end of the day it’s lovely to be recognised in this way. Our aim is to make it sound different to everything else that’s out there and to be as innovative as we can. So this is a nice acknowledgement that we’re doing something right.”
It is indeed.

Dermot And Dave airs Monday to Friday from 4 - 7pm on 98Ffm.