I'll have a double

Early Doors leads NW Comedy Awards

The North West Comedy Awards were handed out last night, with Craig Cash’s pub-based sitcom Early Doors taking away two prizes.

The entire cast of the BBC Two show won the accolade for best comedic performance on TV or film, while Cash and co-creator Phil Mealey took the writing prize.

But stand-up John Bishop, who had been nominated for three categories - one for his live work and two for his Radio 4 play Happy Families - went away empty-handed.

The radio award went to Lee Mack for his Radio 2 show, while Alan Carr, left, was named best stand-up on the North-West circuit.

Rob Brydon was named best touring comic for his Keith Barret show, while the award for best breakthrough act was won by character Keith Carter, who performs as Scally character Nige.

XS Malarkey, which has won Chortle’s award for best comedy club in the region for the past four years, was named best venue here, too.

Alex Carter, who plays Lee Hunter in Hollyoaks, won the public vote for best comedic performance in a soap opera.

And The Les Dawson Award for Services to Comedy, presented by the comic legend’s widow Tracy anddaughter Charlotte, went to Johnny Vegas.

Vegas said: ‘Les is the only comic I’ve been compared with and been happy with the comparison, so it’s a real compliment.’

Judge Ric Michael, from Baby Cow Productions said: ‘The winners show the range and quality of talent on offer in the North West.’

Christine Petyt, from sponsor Smile, added: ‘Some of the winners are already household names, whilst others are breaking through and I am sure they will go on to win even greater recognition in the world of comedy’”

The awards, presented by Bradley Walsh in Manchester’s Piccadilly Hotel, were part of the Manchester Comedy Festival, which comes to an end on Monday.

The City Life award for the best new comic in the North West was also handed out as part of the festival.