Comic's double victory at Midland Comedy Awards

Birmingham stand-up Andy Robinson has scooped two awards at the first Midlands Comedy Awards.

Robinson – a regular support act for Jo Brand – was named best act and best compere, while The Glee – which operates in Birmingham and Nottingham – was named best club. The venue’s founder Mark Tughan said it was ‘a delight and an honour’ to get the award in the club’s 20th year.

‘2014 was a huge year for us with Lee Evans, John Bishop, Ross Noble, Sarah Millican and Russell Kane all nipping in to road test their latest material,’ he said.

Nottingham’s Fowl Humour was given the prize for best open-mic night, while best new act was shared by Tom Christian and Josh Pugh. The breakthrough act award was given to Hannah Silvester.

Telford-based comedian and promoter Roger Swift, was given the outstanding contribution award for ‘the support he has shown to newer acts, as well as the opportunities for development he’s offered to more experienced comedians through his Teknicolour Smoof comedy clubs’.

The Midlands Comedy Awards were set up by Midlands-based comedian Jay Islaam, and attracted 1,000 online votes for nominees put forward by comedy clubs in the region.

Runners-up in the various categories were: Best Act: Masai Graham; Best New Act: Lucy Thompson; Breakthrough Act: Daniel Nicholas; Best Compere: A Dave Dinsdale; Best Comedy Club: CAN Comedy; Best Open Mic Show: The Holly Bush

Published: 16 Jan 2015