Alongside Frankie Boyle, Still Game, Scott Agnew

Three-year-old Isla Nelson has won two accolades at the Scottish Comedy Awards tonight – alongside the likes of Still Game and Franke Boyle.

She beat some of the most established performers in the genre to win best actress, while the series of shorts she stars in for BBC Scotland, News At Two, won best online comedy.

For best actress she was up against Jane McCarry, Doon Mackichan and Karen Bartke – the stars of the biggest Scottish comedy shows of last year: Still Game, Two Doors Down and Scot Squad respectively.

The awards were collected by her father, comedian Mark Nelson, who makes the internet shorts with her.

He told the late-night audience of comedians and industry figures: ‘Isla can’t be here tonight. She’s been made Trump’s new communications director.’

And on collecting her second award, he said:’ Frankly, it’s about time. It’s ridiculous it’s taken this long. Let this be a lesson to other three-year-olds to stick with it, and you can break the glass ceiling.’

In other categories, voted on by the Scottish comedy industry, the winners were:

Best TV Show
Still Game

Best TV Comedian
Frankie Boyle

Best Radio Show
Breaking The News

Best Radio Comedian
Des Clarke

Best Solo Festival / Tour Show
Scott Agnew – I’ve Snapped My Banjo String, Let’s Just Talk

Best Headliner
Susie McCabe

Best Compere
Billy Kirkwood

Best Newcomer
Donald Alexander

Best Improv / Variety / Sketch
Colin Cloud

Best Actor
Chris Forbes of Scot Squad

Best Writer
Neil Bratchpiece (aka The Wee Man)

Best Event
Vladimir McTavish Birthday Roast

Best Comedy Club (large)
Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh

Best Comedy Club (small)
Yesbar!, Glasgow

There were also a number of panel prizes, with Richard Gadd receiving the award for Outstanding Achievement in Comedy for becoming the first Scottish winner of the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 29 years

As previously announced, the Funny Farm collective, which established the alternative comedy scene in Scotland from 1998 won the lifetime achievement award.

The team included Fred MacAulay, Bruce Morton. Parrot, David Cosgrove, Libby MacArthur, Stu Who? and Kevin Kopstien.

Another special accolade, for outstanding contribution to Scottish comedy, went to comedian, magician, writer and director Steven Dick.

His citation said: ‘Just like all magicians, with Steven the important stuff is not what see, it's what you don't see. Over the years he has written prolifically for many many high-profile comedians, TV and radio shows, but also he has helped shape the routines and festival shows for many Scottish acts Without him, lots of us would be less funny.’

The awards were handed out in Edinburgh, omn the eve of the first shows of the Fringe.

Here's Isla in action:

Published: 1 Aug 2017