Winners revealed...

The winners of this year’s Chortle awards have been announced – with no one act dominating the honours.

Accolades were handed out in London on Monday night at a ceremony hosted by Arthur Smith. Here is the video:

Smith told the audience of comics, agents and promoters: ‘Being a comedian is the best job in the world – it’s not the hardest, like people say - because people will buy you drinks and want to sleep with you after, and you do have the delicious sound of laughter ringing in your ears.’

Many of those collecting accolades at the brisk ceremony took their honour with a pinch of salt, although Dara O Briain, who won the best theatre tour category, said: ‘The Chortle awards have always meant a lot to me, and I always come back. This truly is the greatest profession, and the company I’m in is fantastic.’

Addressing the comedians in the audience, he added: ‘If I can give you anything to aim for when your gigging, gigging, gigging... when you get to a room where you can do two hours, it’s gold. The Chortle awards have always meant a lot to me, and I always come back. This truly is the greatest profession, and the company I’m in is fantastic.

O Briain also collected the breakthrough award on behalf of 6 Music presenter Jon Richardson, as they share the same agent.

The Irish comic joked: ‘He [Richardson] did send a speech, but I read it before and it’s a little bit racist… I mean, who hates the Bangladeshis that much? Racism is bad, specific racism is worse.’

The biggest cheer of the night was reserved for the veteran team behind I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue.

Barry Cryer said: ‘Thank you very much indeed on behalf of Tim, myself, the great [Humphrey] Lyttelton, Jez Hardy, everyone whose ever been on the show with us.’

And Tim Brooke-Taylor, who added that the award was ‘in memory of the Willie Rushton’ joked: ‘When we walked in today it felt like No Country For Old Men.’

Jerry Springer: The Opera co-writer Stewart Lee won the best show accolade for his ongoing tour 41st Best Stand-Up Ever.

Collecting the award on his behalf, was his former double-act partner Richard Herring, who said: Stewart has asked me to collect this, mainly I think, to rub this in my face.

‘He said some shit about it being very important because it’s voted for by people, but he hasn’t shown up, has he? But I think he really would have like to thank me…’

Dutch comedian Hans Teeuwen, who recently performed in London’s Soho Theatre, won a new award for artistic integrity. He was a friend of Amsterdam filmmaker Theo Van Gogh, who was assassinated by a Muslim extremists. At his funeral. Teeuwen sang a hugely offensive – and very funny – song mocking religion, including M, arguing that free speech was a far more important principle than not offending religious sensibilities, and he has never been afraid to defend for his stance.

He joked: ‘Normally I don’t accept awards without prize money, but they convinced me this was good for my career, so thank you.’

Among the other winners were Michael McIntyre, who won best headliner, Pappy’s Fun Club, which won best sketch, variety and character act, and Daniel Kitson, who won the comics’ comic award for the third time. ‘He’s won even more awards than Amy Winehouse,’ Arthur Smith joked.

Best newcomer: Holly Walsh

Breakthrough act: Jon Richardson

Best compere: Stephen Grant

Best headliner: Michael McIntyre

Best sketch, variety or character act: Pappy’s Fun Club

Best full show: Stewart Lee: 41st Best Stand-up

Best theatre tour: Dara O Briain

Award for innovation: Laughter In Odd Places

Comics’ comic: Daniel Kitson

The following special awards – not voted by the public - were also announced:

Offstage contribution: Toby Hadoke of XS Malarkey, Manchester

Award for artistic integrity: Hans Teeuwen

Outstanding contribution to comedy: The I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue team

In the venue categories, the winner were:

London (large): Comedy Store
London (small) : Falling Down With Laughter
South: Komedia
Midlands/East: Derby Funhouse
Wales and the West: Cardiff Glee
North: Manchester XS Malarkey
Scotland: Edinburgh Stand

Click here to download a higher resolution version of the video.

Published: 26 Feb 2008