Chris Moyles had waited 16 years to win his first Sony gold award. Until last night, that is, when he beat Jonathan Ross, Danny Baker and Chris Evans to win the entertainment prize. And was he going to make the most of it? What do you think? "About fucking time," said Moyles. "Sixteen years! I never have to come to one of these godforsaken Sony nights ever again." Monkey knows what he means. The Radio 1 man was so excited that he began singing James Blunt's You're Beautiful. Just goes to show that money isn't everything, doesn't it? "Sixteen years! I'm fucking staying," said Moyles, when someone suggested he might like to leave the stage. Let's hope he doesn't feel too bad this morning.
No love lost
But it was only appropriate that after a 16-year wait, Moyles was thoroughly upstaged by his long-time BBC rival, Terry Wogan. The Radio 2 man was presented with the big prize of the night, the Sony Gold award, by Dame Edna Everage, and used the opportunity to enjoy a few barbs at the Radio 1 DJ's expense. "It's a wonderful honour but I'm trying to follow Dame Edna Everage," said Wogan. "It's like following Chris Moyles. No, that always makes me feel adequate." Cue raucous applause. "It's only when I see all the other winners and hear what their programmes have to offer that I realise Chris Moyles is right. There is nothing to my programme." And when one member of the audience shouted "We love you Terry!", Wogan replied: "Bless you Chris." The pair haven't got along for a while. It's been five years since Wogan suggested Moyles was "in yer face" and in "doubtful taste". Moyles responded by chanting "Terry Wogan, take your wig off" over a Busta Rhymes record. At least he didn't do that last night.
Don't knock Tony
Talking of which, guest presenter Lenny Henry didn't go down entirely well when he had a pop at another grand old man of radio, Tony Blackburn. "I applaud his wig maker!" said Henry, prompting the biggest round of boos of the night. Always judge your audience, Lenny.
Edna v Terry
But back to Wogan, who was in danger of being upstaged himself by Edna Everage. "As these awards are for radio I have put on my oldest frock tonight. And looking around me I see quite a few other women have too," said Barry Humphries' alter ego. On the Grosvenor House Hotel: "Ah, the smell of old gravy and the millions of chickens that have been served here." And on the Sonys: "They are so much more than just an old lump of Perspex." Wogan said his award was a "shining example of the old axiom if you hang around long enough they will eventually give you something". He joked it had been a "disastrous night" for Radio 2 and controller Lesley Douglas had "fled in tears". We're sure he was only kidding.
Succinct answer
Moyles wasn't the only winner to use a little choice language. "A lot of people in recent years have been talking about the demise of original investigative journalism on the Today programme and at the BBC," said Radio 4's Angus Stickler, winner of the news journalist of the year award. "Bollocks."
Reformed character
The former bad boy of radio, Chris Evans, was far more restrained. "I would like to thank Lesley Douglas for giving me the job and the BBC for backing her. It's great to be back, thanks for giving me a second chance. Cheers." Butter wouldn't melt in his pay packet.
Too many to mention
It was a night of firsts - the first time Chris Moyles has won a Sony gold, talk host Stephen Nolan became the first person to win seven golds, and Radio 1 was named station of the year for the first time in its 24-year history. Station controller Andy Parfitt looked suitably chuffed, with only one unfortunate shout of "get your hair cut" from the table next to Monkey. Parfitt paid tribute to his "killer team of DJs" including "Chris, Scott, Zane and all the others". The problem with mentioning a few is that the ones you don't mention get the hump. But Monkey would like to point out that the three Parfitt mentioned were all Sony winners last night, so Jo, Colin, Edith ... er, whassisname, there is absolutely no need to take offence.
Back to the day job
Sir Howard Stringer, chairman and chief executive of awards sponsors, the Sony Corporation, probably shouldn't attempt a career in stand-up. "When I started my career I spent a year in radio," said Stringer. "I did such a good job that when I left they didn't bother replacing me." All that was missing was the "ba-dum tish!" on the drumkit. Still, hats off to Stringer for riding the silence and following it up with an almost sincere "thank you!". Better luck next year, Howard.
Happy father
Radio 1's Zane Lowe was almost as excited winning two awards as he was to have had his first child a fortnight ago. "I had a baby and that's so fucking cool." If Radio 1 ever do a series about parenting, he is clearly the man for the job.
Getting his spurs
Not exactly gag of the night, but a good effort, goes to breakfast show winner Nick Ferrari of London's LBC. "I could not be happier if I sold Andrex toilet paper to Tottenham Hotspur."
Company man
Monkey's unofficial gong for corporate schmoozer of the night goes to the chap from Coast FM, which won best small regional station. "Two words. GCap rocks!" And heckle of the night, of sorts, goes to the chap who shouted "oo-lord!" when Jeff Wayne took to the stage. One for War of the Worlds fans only, that one.
For Emlyn, wherever we may find him
Spare a thought for Scott Mills' producer, Emlyn Dodd. He was doubtless delighted to accompany the Radio 1 afternoon DJ onto the stage to accept the Sony gold award for best interactive programme. Only problem was he was down in the programme as "Emily Dodd". "If you want to hire him," said Mills, "ask for Emlyn."
· To contact the MediaGuardian newsdesk email editor@mediatheguardian.com or phone 020 7239 9857
· If you are writing a comment for publication, please mark clearly "for publication".