Chortle Awards


The Chortle Awards were set up in 2002 by the comedy website Chortle to honour the best of established stand-up comics currently working in the UK. A panel of reviewers draw up a shortlist, which is presented for public vote at the Chortle website.

2005

2009

2012

In 2012, Charlie Brooker won the TV award for Black Mirror and his work on 10 O'Clock Live, while Stewart Lee was awarded "best standup DVD" for the second series of Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle. Lee's former comic partner Richard Herring won the internet award. Dylan Moran won "best tour", Tim Key was awarded "best show", and Simon Munnery received the award for innovation. Prior to the awards, Chortle responded to accusations of sexism. Editor Steve Bennett described the controversy as "a storm we never saw coming."
CategoryWinnerNominees
Best NewcomerPatrick CahillMark Cooper-Jones, Mark Stephenson, Matt Rees
Breakthrough ActTony LawAdam Riches, Humphrey Ker, Sam Simmons
Club ComicAlun CochraneAdam Bloom, Dana Alexander, Hal Cruttenden, Michael Fabbri
Best CompèreSusan CalmanJimmy McGhie, Ray Peacock, Toby Hadoke
Best Sketch or Character ActIdiots of AntsAdam Riches, Beta Males, Humphrey Ker
Best Music or Variety ActThe RubberbanditsKunt and the Gang, La Soirée, New Art Club
Best showTim Key, MasterslutBring Me the Head Of Adam Riches; Doug Stanhope; Sam Simmons, Meanwhile
Best TourDylan Moran, Yeah, YeahDave Gorman's Powerpoint Presentation; Jerry Seinfeld's European tour; Mark Thomas, Walking the Wall; Stephen Merchant, Hello Ladies
TV AwardFresh Meat, Sorry, I've Got No Head, Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle
Radio AwardThe Infinite Monkey CageDanny Baker, John Finnemore's Souvenir Programme, Party
Internet AwardRichard HerringBusiness Mouse, Do the Right Thing, The Fast Show
Best Stand-Up DVDStewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle, Series 2Dylan Moran, Yeah, Yeah; Greg Davies, Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog, Tim Minchin and the Heritage Orchestra Live at the Albert Hall
Award for innovationSimon Munnery for La ConceptaSanderson Jones for comedysale.com, Set List, The Wrestling
Off-Stage ContributionMick Perrin
Outstanding Contribution to ComedyJohn Lloyd
Venue AwardsThe Comedy Store ; 99 Club, Leicester Square ; Komedia, Brighton ; Komedia, Bath ; The Glee Club, Birmingham ; XS Malarkey ; The Pleasance

2016

2018

The winners were announced in March 2018, and marked the first time that women had won more than half of the award in the live comedy category.
CategoryWinnerNominees
Best NewcomerRob Kemp
Best CompèreKiri Pritchard-McLean
Breakthrough ActMae Martin
Club ComedianKiri Pritchard-McLean
Music and Variety AwardFlo and Joan
Character, Improv, and SketchNatalie Palamides
Best ShowHannah Gadsby: Nanette
Best TourGreg Davies: You Magnificent Beast
Comedian's ComedianJordan Brookes
Event of the YearTony Law and Friends in the Battle for Icetopia
Off-stage contributionHot Water Comedy Club
TV ComedianJoe Lycett
Book AwardHow Not to Be a Boy by Robert Webb
Internet AwardRichard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre Podcast
Radio AwardMark Steel's in Town
TV AwardInside No. 9
Best Venues

2019

The winners were announced in March 2019.
CategoryWinnerNominees
Best NewcomerSarah Keyworth
Best CompèreKiri Pritchard-McLean
Breakthrough ActKiri Pritchard-McLean
Club ComedianSuzi Ruffell
Music and Variety AwardRachel Parris
Character, Improv, and SketchLazy Susan
Best ShowJames Acaster: Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999
Best TourLeague Of Gentlemen Live Again
Comedian's ComedianJames Acaster
TV ComedianKatherine Ryan
Book AwardMade In Scotland by Billy Connolly
Internet AwardAdam Buxton's podcast
Radio AwardThe News Quiz
TV AwardInside No 9
Event of the YearHannah Gadsby’s Nanette arriving on Netflix
Off-stage contributionKenny O’Brien, outgoing general manager of The Stand comedy clubs in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.
Student AwardErika Ehler
Best Venues

2020

The winners were announced in March 2020.
CategoryWinnerNominees
Best NewcomerBrodi SnookCharlie George, David Eagle, Patrick Spicer, Toussaint Douglass
Best CompèreKiri Pritchard-McLeanDan Nightingale, Ian Smith, Mick Ferry, Rich Wilson 
Breakthrough ActJessica FostekewJonny Pelham, London Hughes, Janine Harouni
Club ComedianZoe LyonsAdam Rowe, Larry Dean, TanyaLee Davis, Tez Ilyas
Music and Variety AwardFlo & JoanCatherine Cohen, Jonny & The Baptists
Joz Norris, Spencer Jones’s 50-Minute Disco Experiment 
Character, Improv, and SketchThe Delightful SausageColin Hoult as Anna Mann, Goodbear, Jack Tucker, Tarot
Best ShowJessica Fostekew: HenchJordan Brookes: I’ve Got Nothing, Catherine Cohen: The Twist...? She's Gorgeous, Max & Ivan: Commitment, Jonny Pelham: Off Limits 
Best TourRhod Gilbert: The Book Of JohnBen Elton, Frank Skinner: Showbiz, Hannah Gadsby: Douglas, Stewart Lee: Snowflake/Tornado 
Comedian's ComedianZach Zucker as Jack Tucker
TV ComedianBob MortimerGreg Davies, Katherine Ryan, Romesh Ranganathan, Tom Allen 
Book AwardWho Am I Again? by Lenny HenryHappiness and Tears: The Ken Dodd Story by Louis Barfe,
Son Of A Silverback by Russell Kane
Internet AwardMichael Spicer: The Room Next DoorDo The Right Thing, Inside the Comedian, Off Menu podcast with James Acaster and Ed Gamble, 100 Reasons To Hate.. with Ian Smith
Radio AwardDead Ringers, Mark Steel's in TownCount Arthur Strong's Radio Show!, Kevin Eldon Will See You Now, The Skewer
TV AwardFleabagCunk & Other Humans On 2019, Derry Girls, Harry Hill’s Clubnite, A Year In The Life Of A Year
Off-stage contributionBrid Kirby, who runs Fight In The Dog productions and is head of comedy for the Vault festival
Best Venues
Best Comedy Nights
  • London: 99 Club at Ku Bar
  • North: XS Malarkey, Manchester
  • South: Goat Comedy, Hove
  • Midlands and East: The Jericho, Oxford
  • Scotland: Red Raw, Glasgow Stand
  • Best Themed Comedy Nights
  • London: Stamptown, an anarchic alternative night at the Moth Club
  • North: Barking Tales at the Zombie Shack, Manchester, which has a focus on mental health
  • South: Bent Double, an LGBT night at Brighton Komedia
  • Midlands and East: Comedy Carousel at Birmingham Glee
  • 2021

    Awards were made despite the COVID-19 lockdown recognising comedians who triumphed despite the circumstances.
    Alex Horne, Alistair Green, Archie Henderson as Jazz Emu, Catherine Bohart for Gigless, The Covid Arms, Fergus Craig, The Isolation Song Contest, Janey Godley, John Robertson, Marcus Brigstocke and Rachel Parris, Mark Olver, Mark Watson, Munya Chawawa, Petrichor, Richard Herring, Rob Sedgebeer, Robin Ince and Cosmic Shambles Network, Stevie Martin, Tim Key, Toussaint Douglass, The Warren, Brighton were all recognised as "legends of lockdown" with awards made by video.

    2022

    The winners were announced in March 2022.
    CategoryWinnerNominees
    Best NewcomerCelya AB
    Best CompèreZoe Lyons
    Breakthrough ActMaisie Adam
    Club ComedianAdam Rowe
    Music and Variety AwardFlo and Joan
    Best ShowAlfie Brown: Sensitive Man
    Best TourBill Bailey: Summer Larks
    Comedian's ComedianPhil Jerrod
    TV ComedianBob Mortimer
    Book AwardAnd Away... by Bob Mortimer
    Podcast AwardHave A Word
    Social Media AwardRosie Holt
    Radio AwardThe News Quiz
    TV AwardGhosts
    Off-stage contributionPaul O'Byrne

    2023

    The winners were announced in February 2023.
    CategoryWinnerNominees
    Offstage ContributionPeter Grahame
    Comedian's ComedianJaney Godley
    Best NewcomerLorna Rose TreenJoshua Bethania, Pravanya Pillay, Firuz Ozari
    Breakthrough ActAlasdair Beckett-KingChloe Petts, Jordan Gray, Leo Reich, Lara Ricote, Vittorio Angelone
    Best CompereZoe LyonsMark Olver, Rich Wilson, Thanyia Moore
    Club ComedianNina GilliganEmmanuel Sonubi, Ian Stone, Jeff Innocent, Markus Birdman
    Variety or Character ActJazz EmuCrybabies, Delightful Sausage, Flat & The Curves, Frankie Thompson
    Best ShowSeann Walsh: Is Dead. Happy Now?Crybabies: Bagbeard; Frankie Thompson: Catts; Glenn Moore: Will You Still Need Me...; Jordan Gray: Is It A Bird
    Best TourDara O Briain: So... Where Were We?Fascinating Aida, Jack Dee: Off The Telly, Kevin Bridges: The Overdue Catch-Up
    TV ComedianJoe LycettBob Mortimer, Greg Davies, Judi Love
    Book AwardThe Satsuma Complex by Bob MortimerI'll Die After Bingo by Pope Lornegan; Nailing It by Rich Hall; Terrortome by Garth Marenghi
    Social Media AwardJazz EmuAlasdair Beckett-King; Alistair Green; The Northern Boys
    Radio AwardThe News QuizAlexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar, Mark Steel's in Town, Robin Ince's Reality Tunnel
    Best PodcastFrom the Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge PodcastBirthday Girls House Party; Pappy's Flatshare; Poppy Hillstead Has Entered The Chat; Seancecast with Charlie Dinkin and Zoë Tomalin
    TV AwardTaskmasterBig Boys, Derry Girls, Detectorists, Inside No. 9, The Lovebox In Your Living Room

    2024

    The winners were announced in March 2024.
    CategoryWinnerNominees
    Outstanding AchievementAlex Horne and Taskmaster
    Event of the YearViggo Venn Wins Britain's Got Talent
    Offstage ContributionAdam Brace, posthumously
    Best NewcomerPaddy YoungJoe Kent-Walters, John Tothill, Kate Cheka, Kyrah Gray
    Best CompereKiri Pritchard-McLeanIan Smith, Sam Nicoresti, Sikisa
    Breakthrough ActSam CampbellAhir Shah, Amy Gledhill, Ania Magliano, Julia Masili
    Best Club ComedianKiri Pritchard-McLeanChristopher MacArthur-Boyd, Dan Tiernan, Slim, Susie McCabe
    Sketch, Variety or Improv AwardLorna Rose TreenFoxdog Studios, Julia Masli, Lachlan Werner, Simon David
    Best ShowJohn Kearns: The Varnishing DaysAir Shah: Ends; Ian Smith: Crushing; Julia Masli: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha; Paul Foot: Dissolve
    Best TourJames Acaster: Hecklers WelcomeEd Byrne: Tragedy Plus Time; Peter Serafinowicz: Brian Butterfield Placeholder Name; Nick Mohammed: The Very Best and Worst of Mr. Swallow; Sara Pascoe: Success Story
    Best TV ComicJoe LycettLucy Beaumont, Rosie Jones, Sam Campbell
    Book AwardStrong Female Character by Fern BradyMy Lady Part by Doon Mackichan; Scatter Brain by Shaparak Khorsandi; What's That Lady Doing? by Lou Sanders
    Social Media AwardMunya ChawawaEd Night & Paddy Young, Jazz Emu, Rosie Holt, Troy Hawke
    Radio ShowElis James and John RobinsCrybabies Present... Bagbeard; Jessica Fostekew: Sturdy Girl Club; Olga Koch: OK Computer; Sarah Keyworth: Are You a Boy or a Girl?
    Best PodcastThree Bean Salad with Mike Wozniak, Ben Partridge and Henry PakerBorn Yesterday with Alexander Bennett and Andy Barr; Liam Withal & Christopher MacArthur Boyd Enjoy an Album; Northern News with Amy Gledhill & Ian Smith; Where There's a Will There's a Wake with Kathy Burke
    Best TV ShowTaskmasterA Whole Lifetime With Jamie Demetriou; Ghosts; Such Brave Girls; The Change
    Best Comedy Venue
    • London: Big Belly, Vauxhall
    • North: Frog & Bucket, Manchester
    • South and East: The Forge, Brighton
    • Midlands and West: Birmingham Glee
    • Wales: Cardiff Glee
    • Scotland: Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh
    Best Pro Comedy Night
  • London: 99 Club at Saw Swee Hock, Covent Garden
  • North: XS Malarkey, Manchester
  • South and East: Little Smash, Southend
  • Midlands and West: White Bear Comedy Club, Bristol
  • Scotland: Spandex Comedy Club, Edinburgh
  • Best Comedy Format
  • London: Quantum Leopard
  • South and East: Down The Hatch Comedy Club, Brighton Komedia
  • Midlands and West: People's Comedy, Bristol
  • Best Open Mic Night
  • London: Comedy Bandits, Clapham
  • South and East: Comic Boom at the Komedia, Brighton
  • The North: Beat The Frog, Manchester
  • Scotland: Open Comedy, Leith
  • 2025

    The winners were announced in February 2025.
    CategoryWinnerNominees
    Outstanding AchievementReece Shearsmith and Steve Pemberton
    Offstage ContributionBill Dare
    Event of the YearChris McCausland on Strictly Come Dancing
    Comedians' ComedianRob Copland
    Best NewcomerJin Hao LiAbby Wambaugh, Catriona Dowden, Metroland, Sharon Wanjohi
    Breakthrough ActEmma SidiDemi Adejuyigbe, Joe Kent-Walters, Rob Copland
    Sketch & Variety AwardFlo and JoanElf Lyons, Metroland, Natalie Palamides, Tarot
    Best HeadlinerMichael OdewaleLeroy Brito, Lindsey Santoro, Mike Rice, Nina Gilligan
    Best ComperePhil EllisHayley Ellis, Robin Morgan, Rosco McClelland
    Best ShowOne-Man Musical by Flo and JoanAdam Riches and John Kearns ARE ‘Ball & Boe’; Demi Adejuyigbe Is Going To Do One Backflip; Ed Night: The Plunge; Natalie Palamides: Weer; Rob Copland: Gimme
    Best TourSam Campbell: WobservationsKiri Pritchard-McLean: Peacock; Miles Jupp: On I Bang; Nish Kumar: Nish, Don't Kill My Vibe; Sarah Keyworth: My Eyes Are Up Here
    Best TV ShowInside No 9Alma's Not Normal; Everyone Else Burns; Things You Should Have Done; We Are Lady Parts
    Best TV ComicBob MortimerChris McCausland, Jamali Maddix, Rosie JonesSophie Willan
    Best Radio ComedyJaney Godley: The C BombIan Smith Is Stressed; Icklewick FM; The Many Wrongs Of Lord Christian Brighty; Time Of The Week
    Best PodcastHere Comes The GuillotineBrainwash Me with Poppy Hillstead; Glue Factory with Milo Edwards, Olga Koch, Pierre Novellie and Riley; Single Ladies In Your Area with Amy Gledhill and Harriet Kemsley; Trusty Hogs with Catherine Bohart and Helen Bauer
    Social Media AwardMunya ChawawaDerek Mitchell; Ed Night and Paddy Young; Tom Lawrinson and Sam O’Leary; Sarah Roberts
    Book AwardThe Hotel Avocado by Bob MortimerDip My Brain in Joy: A Life With Neil Innes by Yvonne Innes; Jokes Jokes Jokes by Jenny Eclair; Why Can't I Just Enjoy Things? by Pierre Novellie