Arthur Smith named a 'legend of comedy'

As Leicester Comedy Festival also hails its departing founder

Arthur Smith has been named this year’s legend of comedy by the Leicester Comedy Festival.

And in a prize that could surely go to no one else Geoff Rowe, who is stepping down from the festival 30 years after founding it, was awarded the prize for lifetime’s contribution to the event.

Of his accolade, Smith said: ‘I turned down a knighthood and a Nobel peace prize but I am delighted and very honoured to receive this Legend of Comedy award from the fabulous Leicester Comedy Festival.

‘I have had so many laughs over the years at the festival and caught up with so many fellow comedians. Leicester is the only place to be in February.’

Previous legends have included Stewart Lee, Jo Brand, Nicholas Parsons, Victoria Wood, Barry Cryer, Rik Mayall, Nicholas Parsons, Ken Dodd and Sir Norman Wisdom.

Other award winners at last night's ceremony included Stuart Goldsmith for best show, Shelf for best kids’ show and Bethany Black for best new show.

Geoff Rowe

Rowe, above, said: ‘Leicester Comedy Festival has only been able to grow and develop over the last 30 years due to the massive commitment and support from all sorts of people and organisations and our awards ceremony is our chance to thank them and acknowledge what they do. It was great to see so many festival friends at the event and hand out the trophies.

‘I was especially thrilled this year to be able to recognise the contribution Arthur Smith has made to British comedy.’

The festival’s programme director Charlotte Laidet added: ‘It’s an honour to bestow the lifetime contribution award to Geoff Rowe. This festival wouldn’t exist without him. It has been an inspiration working alongside him and the whole team at Big Difference Company [the charity behind the festival] wish him luck for his future endeavours’.

The full list of award winners are:

Best Debut Show

Winner: Fatiha El-Ghorri: Work in progress

Best New Show

Winner: Bethany Black: Always Bet On Beth

Best Show

Winner: Stuart Goldsmith: Spoilers (WIP)

Best Music or Improv Show

Winner: CSI: Crime Scene Improvisation

Best Kids Show

Winner: Shelf: The Kids’ Show

Contribution to LCF 2023