Arthur Smith – comedian, broadcaster and famously grumpy old man – was last night presented with the fifth annual Bath Plug Award, awarded each year by Bath Comedy Festival to acknowledge significant achievement or contribution to Comedy.

Previous winners of the medal-like award (a specially engraved golden bath plug) have been Terry Jones, Peter Richardson, Barry Cryer and Rachel Parris.

The presentation took place at one of the Festival’s most popular core venues, Widcombe Social Club, at the end of a moving performance of Smith’s show ‘Syd’ accompanied by The Smithereens, the story of Arthur’s father Syd, P.O.W. and P.C. on night duty in 1950s London - an ordinary man who lived through extraordinary times. 

To present the medal, co-organiser of the Bath Plug Award, author, historian and self-confessed ‘comedy geek’ Jem Roberts was joined on stage by Festival Director Nick Steel who said the award was “also a personal thank you for all the years of laughter and support, as a friend and as a Patron of the Festival”

2019 is the eleventh year of Bath Comedy Festival, which is enjoying continued expansion, fast becoming a national destination event and major entry in Bath’s cultural calendar, showcasing both household names and the stars of tomorrow, championing female comedy and affordable shows.

Pictured L-R: Jem Roberts (comedy historian and author), Arthur Smith, Nick Steel (Bath Comedy Festival Director). (Photo by Alan Cassé)