And Lou Conran best MC

Scott Bennett has been named the best stand-up of 2020 by his fellow comedians.

The based act, who has been hosting online gigs from his shed during lockdown, won the admiration of his peers in the  Comics’ Comic accolades, also known as the UK Comedy Awards.

Best MC went to  Lou Conran, while Brett Vincent from Get Comedy scooped best independent promoter and the Comedy Support Act benevolent fund won outstanding achievement.

Bennett said he was 'absolutely thrilled’ to get his accolade, adding: ‘It was totally unexpected and it means so much to be nominated by all my wonderful comedy colleagues. 

‘It's been a very difficult time for everyone and getting this amazing news has given me that little confidence boost I've been missing from being on stage this year. 

‘Everyone has had to adapt since everything fell apart in back in March, and I've been so proud of seeing how comedians and promoters have responded. We've shown how much of a supportive community we are, how we can innovate and be creative, and still perform to an audience even when none of us can leave the house and haven't showered in weeks. 

‘I'm also relieved that my weekly shouting of punchlines into a webcam on a live stream from my garden shed, hasn't gone totally unnoticed. It started off as a silly idea to keep me sane and keep hold of that feeling of being a working comedian, but it's mushroomed into something I love doing now, and will continue to do so after this pandemic is over. 

‘I want to give a little mention to my "Stand up from the Shed" co-host and wife, Jemma. Who has kept me company in that chipboard bunker every week. She's laughed at my jokes, tolerated my rants, improvised sketches and characters, written theme tunes and jingles and has basically been the best audience member any comic could ever wish for. ‘

Oh her award for compering,  Conran, above, said:  ‘Flipping ‘eck that’s blummin lovely innit?! I don’t know what to say?! Rare that I’m speechless!  What a bloody lovely surprise and how lovely to be voted for by my fellow chums/colleagues. What a perfect end to a weird year.’

The Comedy Support Act was set up in 2015 by comedians Dave Johns, Lynn Chambers and photographer Andy Hollingwort. to help comedians who are unable to gig due to accident or illness, with funds raised from a series of benefit gigs by fellow comedians.

Johns said: ‘To all comics, this is your benevolent fund which has already help quite a few comics in our industry with a grant when ill and unable to work. 

‘But really, this award is for everyone who has ever performed at or helped organise a benefit gig for the charity or helped in any way at all.’ 

During lockdown Vincent’s newly award-winning company Get Comedy set up the UK’s first drive-in-comedy gigs, as well as running street and garden gigs across the country. In normal times they organise tours, produce Edinburgh shows and book festivals, including Altitude and Comedy Central Live.

Thanking his team, he added: 'I cannot tell you how much this means to me and Team GC after the year that we’ve all had. This is especially touching as there are so many great promoters out there who have gone beyond the call of duty to try and make gigs happen and who’ve battled to get work for their comedians throughout the pandemic. I applaud them and all of the comedians too, for all for the valiant work they have put in to continue to bring laughter to people and to show that even in the toughest times we can rely on comedy to help to get us through. 

'Personally, I am over the moon, and can say with honesty that this is the only award I have ever truly wanted to win. I have put my heart and soul in to everything I have done over the years, to try and ensure that the comedians and audiences have the best possible experiences they can, be it at festivals or club gigs, Edinburgh or Mayrhofen, a drive-in or now zoom gigs. You cannot comprehend how much this award means to me and all of us here at GetComedy.'

The awards were administered by promoter Andy ​White, of Jesterlarf Comedy, who said: ‘Despite this being a year like no other that has seen the comedy industry and live work decimated, the industry has tried its best to keep comedy alive and the country chuckling and new and unusual versions appeared including Zoom gigs, podcasts, drive-in-shows, street and  garden gigs and venue gigs with tiny audiences - an impressive and truly dedicated effort in the face of adversity which showed sheer passion and love of the art of making people laugh.’

Published: 21 Dec 2020