Channel 4 accolade for alternative comedy voices

Harriet Dyer has won the second Sean Lock Comedy Award, handed out by Channel 4.

The Cornish comedian and mental health advocate wins a cash prize, as well as mentoring and support from the channel, including jobs writing on some of their comedy and entertainment shows.

She interrupted a holiday in Italy to perform at the showcase gig in Leeds last night, hosted by Joe Wilkinson, where she was named the winner.

Channel 4 head of comedy Charlie Perkins said the panel had also considered the finalists’ previous writing, and not just the  night’s performance.

She said the broadcaster was looking for someone who embodied Lock’s ‘Swiss Army knife, polymath’ approach to comedy as well as his alternative spirit.

It is the second year the competition has been run. Eric Rushton won last year and said at the time: ‘Watching Sean Lock was a huge part of my childhood, I’m such a huge fan and I can’t think of a better person to be associated with.’

Also performing in the show last night were Elaine Robertson, Jin Hao Li, Leah Davis, Marjolein Robertson, Marty Gleeson, Millie Malone, Pravanya Pillay, Ricky Balshaw and Shalaka Kurup - all of whom had been nominated by comedy producers and promoters across the UK. Read mini-profiles of them all here.

Published: 23 Oct 2024