Success at city's comedy festival

Firuz Ozari has been named the 2022 Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year.

The Bristol-based comedian triumphed at the event, held on the penultimate day of the Leicester Comedy Festival last night.

Other finalists – all of whom had been selected by comedy promoters from across the UK – were Nick Elleray, Hayley Ellis,  Louise Leigh, Lucila San Martin, John Meagher, Ashish Suri and   Sam Williams 

 Ozari joins a list of other previous winners in the competition’s 29-year history, including  Romesh Ranganatha, Josh Widdicombe, Rhod Gilbert, Jason Manford and Johnny Vegas.

The judging panel for this year was Charlotte Lang, who books the cabaret tent at Glastonbury Festival, Owen Hughes of sponsors Union Jack Radio, Lee Martin of agency and promoters Gag Reflex, Guardian cined writer Rachael Healy and Altaf Sarwar, promote of the Desi Central Asian comedy circuit.

Leicester Comedy Festival founding Geoff Rowe, said: ‘It’s fantastic to be able to support and put a spotlight on new and emerging talent, particularly after the disruption the pandemic has caused.’

Published: 20 Feb 2022