Leicester Comedy Festival has announced this year’s award winners, honouring comedians including Joz Norris (Best Show) and James Ellis (Best Debut).

Further winners include the Liberty Award for Spirit of the Festival, awarded to Wrestling With The Champ, who were nominated after staging an impromptu show when 30 people arrived for a cancelled event.

Honoured with the Chris Maughan Lifetime Contribution Award is Charlotte Laidet, current Festivals and Programme Director at Big Difference Company. Charlotte will depart the organisation this year after joining 9 years ago as a Project Assistant; she became Director for the festivals in 2023 and has been integral in leading the festivals through uncertainty following the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Michael Harris-Wakelam, Chief Executive of Big Difference Company, said, “Charlotte has been a huge part of the development of Big Difference Company and our festivals for almost a decade. Her commitment to nurturing and supporting talent has always shone and can be seen through establishing projects such as Circuit Breakers, Bridging the Gap, and The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival in this period, showing just how passionate she is about not only our projects but also the development of the comedy industry. She will of course be missed but leaves behind a significant legacy and contribution to the ongoing successes of our festivals and British comedy. Thank you to Charlotte for her enthusiasm, kind nature, and support over the years.””

This year, Soft Touch Arts became the first dedicated venue for family-friendly and children’s shows, with a full programme including SHELF, Marcel Lucont, Abi Carter-Simpson and Bad Clowns, and won Best New Venue.

Leicester Libraries received the Tracey Miller Community Award for their engagement with the UK Kids’ Comedy Festival through Joke Spot, providing a pop-up stage in a welcoming community space for children to try out their stand-up skills. Joke Spots were hosted by local comedian Rob Gee.

Highcross Shopping Centre was awarded the Contribution to LCF 2026 for providing the Festival Hub space, enhancing the festival’s visibility and accessibility, allowing artists the opportunity to reach new audiences.

Charlotte Laidet, festivals and programme director at Big Difference, the charity behind the festival, commented, “At its heart, Leicester Comedy Festival is about celebrating the brilliant talent that makes up the comedy community, both on and off stage. We’re proud to present these awards, which year on year recognise the incredible talent across Leicester Comedy Festival and the UK Kids’ Comedy Festival. Congratulations to all the nominees and winners—we’re excited to see what they achieve next.”

Full list of winners:

Best Show:  Joz Norris Is Hugh Jackman Is The Phantom Of The Opera (pictured)

Best New Show: Luke Rollason: The Poolboy (WIP)

Best Debut Show: James Ellis: Craig (Work in Progress)

Best Kids Show: The Rubbish Shakespeare Company: Romeo and Juliet

Best Variety Show: Lady Bolognese: CLASS WAR

Best Small Venue:  Firebug

Best Large Venue: De Montfort Hall

Best New Venue: Soft Touch Arts

Best Poster: Lucy Pearman: Lunartic (Designed by Will Andrews)

Liberty Award: Wrestling With The Champ

Best Promoter: Laughter Craft

Tracey Miller Community Award: Leicester Libraries

Student of the Year: Molly Oliver

Business Contribution: Steep Soda

Contribution to Leicester Comedy Festival 2026: Highcross Shopping Centre

Chris Maughan Lifetime Contribution Award: Charlotte Laidet

Leicester Comedy Festival & The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival will return from February 3 to 21 next year.