The winners have been announced of this year's UK Comedy Awards. These are the only awards voted for by comedians themselves (somebody that makes their living or most of it from comedy). The prizes will be presented by Arthur Smith tonight (Monday) at the comedian's annual Christmas party.
Comic’s Comic - Best Act
Andrew Bird
“I can't even pretend to act casual about this. I am so chuffed. Thank you for voting for me. Usually, I'm worried that other comedians are slagging me off. So, for a good few to say, they think I'm good. That's going to get me through at least the next 6-8 rough gigs. I don't think actually telling the audience about the award will help. We'll see.”
Comic’s Comic - Best MC
Barry Dodds
“I am completely blown away and beyond surprised. I’ve never once even considered myself to be someone who would even get nominated for something like this, never mind win. I’m utterly humbled, thank you from the bottom of my heart to those who voted and to all the amazing comics, decent clubs and good promoters who make this the best job in the world.”
Comic’s Comic - Best Independent Promoter
James Alderson
“It’s lovely that some folks voted for me. I guess something good has come out of Covid, as that’s what inspired me to start the Stitches Comedy Club chain back early in 2022: to just knuckle down and create something rather than wait for it to happen for me. It’s really nice to have the grafting recognised - thanks to all that thought of me when voting! I’ve got a cracking team working with me at the shows and 2024 will hopefully produce even more exciting times!”
Outstanding Contribution To UK Comedy
Tony Allen, Andy Smart & Gareth Richards (posthumous)
You can hear interviews with the winners on an awards special episode of the ‘Jokes with Mark Simmons’ podcast here:
Listen on:
SPOTIFY: https://shorturl.at/fK135
APPLE: https://shorturl.at/cJW14
HISTORY...The awards were started in 2013 by John Moloney as an alternative to various other prizes that he felt did not recognise professional comedians who work the circuit year in, year out.
Here’s the list of previous winners:
Best Act: 2013 Mick Ferry...2014 Gavin Webster...2015 Zoe Lyons...2016 Jeff Innocent...2017 Ian Stone...2018 Andy Askins…2019 The Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue…2020 Scott Bennett…2021 (3 way tie) Jo Caulfield, Ninia Benjamin, Mark Nelson… 2022 Mark Simmons.
Best MC: 2014 Roger Monkhouse...2015 Dan Nightingale…2016 Danny McLoughlin...2017 Laura Lexx...2018 Mandy Knight…2019 Sally Ann Hayward…2020 Lou Conran…2021 Paul Smith…2022 Cerys Nelmes.
Independent Promoter: 2016 Rob Riley : Comedy In A Van...2017 Blair Brothers : Hot Water...2018 Rob Riley : Comedy In A Van…2019 Jim Howarth : Comedy Hotspot…2020 Brett Vincent : Get Comedy…2021 (2 way tie) Andy White : Jesterlarf Comedy and Peter Vincent : Independent Booker… 2022 Stephen Grant : The Forge.
Outstanding Contribution To UK Comedy: 2015 John Moloney...2016 Noel Faulkner...2017 Steve Gribbin...2018 Otiz Cannelloni…2019 Jeremy Hardy & Ian Cognito (posthumous)…2020 Comedy Support Act Benevolent Fund…2021 Sean Lock (posthumous)… 2022 Peter Grahame.
