Scottish Comedy Awards honour Arnold Brown

...and why not?

Arnold Brown has been awarded the lifetime achievement accolade at the first Scottish Comedy Awards.

The former accountant was on the bill at the opening night of the Comedy Store in London in 1979 and won the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1987 before the pinnacle of his career, supporting Frank Sinatra on stage in Glasgow's Ibrox Park.

The decision to honour Brown with the award was made by a panel of Scottish stand-ups. He said: ‘It's always been great to be regarded as the comedian's comedian, but my real ambition has always been to be the bank manager's comedian.’

Awards organiser Alan Anderson, who also produces the separate Scottish Comedian Of The Year award, said: ‘There was no one else that would have deserved to win the first ever Lifetime Achievement Scottish Comedy Award more than Arnold. It was the easiest decision the judging panel made.’

He said he set up the awards because he thought Scottish talent was overlooked by UK-wide awards and added: ‘Most TV producers are too scared that they won’t be able to get the right grade of cocaine if they come north of Watford.’

The full list of winners is

Lifetime Achievement: Arnold Brown

Outstanding contribution to comedy: Viv Gee for her comedy course

Best headliner: Gary Little

Best compere: Billy Kirkwood

Best support act: Susie McCabe

Best newcomer: Jellybean Martinez

Best comedy actor/actress: Greg McHugh

Best TV show: Limmy's Show

Best radio show: Mark Nelson's Guide to Marriage

Best podcast: Janey Godley's Podcast

Best online contribution: Darren Connell's Twitter