Royal prank call DJ voted 'next top jock'

A row has erupted over a 'next top jock' gong being handed to one of the DJs linked to the suicide of a British nurse after a prank call went wrong.

Michael Christian was the joint winner of the metro category of the contest that recognises Southern Cross Austereo network's "best in the land".

After claiming the title, Christian, who now works at Austereo's Melbourne station Fox FM, said regardless of everything that had happened he was still at the 'top of his game'.

"From the start I felt like I had something to prove to myself," Christian said in a statement.

"That regardless of all that's happened in the past few months I'm still at the top of my game.

"So it felt good to see my name at the top of the final leader board."

As Top Jock winner, Christian will fly to Los Angeles for a studio tour.

The honour comes six months after Christian and colleague Mel Greig made a prank call to London's King Edward VII Hospital, where the Duchess of Cambridge was being treated for severe morning sickness.

The pair were put through to her ward by nurse Jacintha Saldanha, who took her own life soon after the hoax was widely publicised in the British media.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy did not approve of the award, saying it was in 'bad taste' and too soon after the nurse's death.

"There were some very serious consequences of what was a prank," he told Fairfax Radio on Wednesday.

"And to be seen to be awarding people so soon after such an event I think is just in bad taste."

But radio personalities have thrown their support behind the young DJ.

Radio shock jock Kyle Sandilands said: "He's a good announcer...so what we're going to bash the kid for the rest of his life for one mistake that he's made?"

Austereo's leadership team selected the winners of the Top Jock gong.

Joint winner Ellie Mobbs said: "It's nice for us jocks to finally be recognised."

• Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Suicide Call Back Service on 1300 659 467.