The comedy circuit has named its winners of this year’s Comics’ Comic Awards.

Jeff Innocent has scooped best comic; Danny McLoughlin best compere and Rob Riley, who runs a string of gigs predominantly in the north of England, best independent promoter.

Also honoured was Noel Faulkner, owner of the Comedy Cafe, who is being forced to shut up shop after more than 25 years because of skyrocketing rents on his East London venue.

Comedians voted he should receive an accolade for outstanding contribution to comedy, in recognition of his work.

Also called the UK Comedy Awards, these honours were started in 2013 by John Moloney to recognise long-serving comedians who he felt were overlooked by other ceremonies seeking the next big thing.

Zoe Lyons, who won the best comic prize last year, organised this year’s poll and announced the news on her Facebook page.

She told the winners: ’Well done one and all, your peers think the world of you. See you on the road in 2017.’