Comic hailed among other Leicester Comedy Festival award winners

Jenny Eclair has been named the Legend of Comedy at the Leicester Comedy Festival’s annual award bash tonight.

Also honoured were comics including Susie McCabe, Olaf Falafel and Joe Kent-Walters for their appearances at this year’s festival

Eclair, who attended the ceremony, said: ‘I’m beyond chuffed to snatch this Legend of Comedy Award, I genuinely think I deserve it, although saying that, my career will probably now go completely tits up. Seriously, thank you, I’m extremely delighted.’

Previous legends have included Stewart Lee, Jo Brand, Rik Mayall, Victoria Wood, Barry Cryer and last year’s winner Arthur Smith.

Festival director, Charlotte Laidet, said: ‘it’s been an honour to have Jenny Eclair accepting the Legend of Comedy Award, to recognise and highlight the career of this amazing woman on the comedy industry.’

The other winners were:

Best Show: Joe Kent-Walters: An Audience With Frankie Monroe

Best New Show: Susie McCabe: Work in Progress

Best Debut Show: Jack Skipper: Work in Progress

Best Kids Show: Olaf Falafel’s Stupidest Super Stupid Show (Yet)

Best Variety Show: David Eagle: Flying Solo

Audience Choice: Everyday I’m Jesterin’

Best Small Venue: The Black Horse

Best Large Venue: The Y Theatre

Best New Venue: Real Ale Classroom

Best Poster: Geoff Alderman: Free Range

Liberty Award: Weirdos Comedy Weekender

Best Promoter: Jokes On Us

Tracey Miller Community Award: All In Leicester

Student of the Year: Molly Wilby 

Business Contribution: The Beautiful Pubs Collective

Contribution to LCF24: Ben Robinson 

Chris Maughan Lifetime Contribution Award: Rob Gee

Leicester Comedy Festival will return from February 5 to 23 next year.

Published: 18 Mar 2024