Jo Brand named 'legend of comedy'

At Leicester Comedy Festival awards show

Jo Brand has been named a ‘legend of comedy’ at the annual awards show run by the Leicester Comedy Festival.

Previous recipients of the accolade have included Victoria Wood, Barry Cryer, Rik Mayall, Nicholas Parsons, Ken Dodd and Sir Norman Wisdom.

Festival director Geoff Rowe said: ‘We were delighted to acknowledge Jo Brand with the Legend of Comedy Award at the ceremony. Her contribution to UK comedy over the years has been incredible and we were thrilled to recognise this.’

Other winners at last night’s ceremony included Vikki Stone, Bec Hill, FoxDog Studios, Michael Odewale and Darren Walsh – while the ‘lifetime contribution’ went to the panel that chooses the award-winners.

The full list is:

Best Show: FoxDog Studios: Robot Chef
Best New Show:Michael Odewale: #blackbearsmatte r
Best Improv/Musical Show: Vikki Stone: Song Bird
Best Kids' Show: Bec Hill: Treats You Like A Child
Best Venue (under 200 capacity): Black Horse Laughter Loft
Best Venue (over 200 capacity): Just The Tonic at Hansom Hall
Best New Venue: Just The Tonic at The Shed
Liberty Award/ Spirit of the Festival: The Big Weekend Market Harborough
Best Promoter: Jokes On Us
Greening the Laughs: Firebug
Community Award:The Big Chilli
Leicestershire Favourite Joke: Darren Walsh
Contribution to Leicester Comedy Festival 2019: Volunteers
Lifetime Contribution:The Awards Panel
Legend of Comedy: Jo Brand