Johnny Vegas named a 'legend of comedy'

As Leicester Comedy Festival hands out its gongs

Johnny Vegas has been named this year's 'legend of comedy' by the Leicester Comedy Festival.

The award comes 23 years after he was crowned Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year in 1997 as a new act and means he follows in the footsteps of pervious winners such as Victoria Wood, Barry Cryer and Rik Mayall.

Vegas said the award was 'a nice way of people saying you are ready to retire but still I’m really humbled.

'Outside of St Helens no one would know who Johnny Vegas was if it wasn’t for you, giving me that big break all those years ago. I’m chuffed to bits; it’s a shame we can’t all be there and raise a glass and make things messy. But you’ve made me a very happy man. Cheers!'

Festival director, Geoff Rowe said: 'It was particularly fantastic to be able to recognise Johnny Vegas... a long-time friend of the festival'.

The ceremony was held online and hosted by Mark Olver, who also won the lifetime achievement award..

Alex Hylton won best show for his Get Rich or Die Cryin’ while Sian Davies won best debut for About Time.

Friz Frizzle won best musical show for Heaven Knows I'm Friz Frizzle Now; Chris Betts vs The Audience was named best improv show and The Extraordinary Time-Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen best kids show.

Other winners were.

Best Venue (under 200 capacity): Black Horse Laughter Loft
Best Venue (over 200 capacity): De Montfort Hall
Best New Venue: Pied Bull
Liberty Award/Spirit of the Festival: Doorstep Comedy Club
Best Promoter: Furthest From The Sea
Community Award: The Samaritans and LAMP
Contribution to LCF20: Barry Bulsara for Lesta Ha! Poster
Business of the year: Eileen Richards Recruitment
Greening The Laughs Award: Grays @ LCB Depot
Student of the Year: Liberty Emmerson
Leicestershire Favourite Joke: Jack Gleadow