For her script about time travel tourism

Comedy writer Rhiannon Shaw has won this year’s David Nobbs prize, given out in honour of the late Reggie Perrin ceator.

A former Cambridge Footlights member and Chortle Student Comedy Award finalist, wins £1,000 for her script Past Tense, about time travel tourism.

She said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted, and so grateful to the panel for picking me as this year’s winner. To even have my name in the same sentence as a comedy legend like David Nobbs is a tremendous honour, and more than I could ever have dreamed of when I started writing comedy.

‘ Past Tense is a script about time travel tourism. More generally, it’s about the very human urge to change the past – and winning this competition will change my future. Isn’t that neat? Thank you so much to the Trust, and to everyone who knew and loved David. I’m thrilled.’

The runners up are Charlie Dinkin, with her collection of sketches, and Benjamin Sutton, for his script Paps, each receiving £250.

Lucy Lumsden, owner of Yellow Door Productions and formerly head of comedy commissioning at both Sky and the BBC, was one of the judges. She said: ‘It’s such a vote of confidence to even make the shortlist and I wish the winner a long and fruitful career in comedy.’

Journalist Mary O’Hara, who chairs the David Nobbs Memorial Trust,  said: ‘Once again we have been blown away by the breadth and depth of rising comedy-writing talent across the UK. It is no easy task for the judges from all across the industry who dedicate their time to reading the scripts submitted to choose the winners because the standard is so high.

‘To all the entrants: even if you didn’t make the longlist or shortlist this year - keep going! Next year it could be you.’

Published: 17 Aug 2022