North West Comedy Awards

The North West Comedy Awards were set up to honour and reward the comedic talents that can be found in North West England. They have been running since 2004 and in their short time have honoured Peter Kay, Rob Brydon, Johnny Vegas, Alan Carr & John Bishop. The categories not only recognize Stand Up Comedy, but they also feature local television and radio talent. Annually they handout the Les Dawson Award which recognizes individuals for their efforts in producing, performing and promoting Stand Up Comedy in the North West of England.

2004 Winners

Presiding as Master of Ceremonies were Patrick McGuinness, Steve Edge & Archie Kelly of Phoenix Nights fame. Celebrity presenters were Noddy Holder, Johnny Vegas & Ted Robbins.

The Winners were as follows:

Best Comedy Content In A Radio Show

• BBC GMR'S Michelle Around Midnight

Best Breakthrough Act In Comedy

• Seymour Mace

Best Stand Up on the North West Comedy Circuit

• John Bishop

Best Comedic Performance on Film & TV

• Mark Benton for Early Doors

Best Comedic Performance in Soap

• Alex Carter for Hollyoaks

Best Comedy Club

• XS Malarkey

Best Touring Comedy Production/Show

• Peter Kay "Mum wants a bungalow" tour

Best Comedic Writing

• Craig Cash & Phil Mealey for Early Doors

Les Dawson Award for services to Comedy

• Agraman (for his efforts to the Buzz Club and beyond

2005 Winners

The Master of ceremonies for the 2005 was comedian and Coronation Street's Bradley Walsh. The gala black tie event was held in Manchester city centre at the Hotel Piccadilly. In attendance were Dave Spikey and Johnny Vegas and stars from Coronation Street and Hollyoaks.

The family of the late Les Dawson were also there. Dawson's widow Tracy and his youngest daughter Charlotte were on hand to present the much coveted Les Dawson Award for services to Comedy. Speaking at the event Baby Cow Production's Ric Michael who was also a judge said " the winner of each category shows the range and quality of talent on offer in the North West and long may it continue".

The Winners were:

Best Breakthrough in Comedy

• Keith Carter

Best Stand up on the North West Circuit

• Alan Carr

Best Touring Comedy Production/Show

• Rob Brydon

Best Comedic Performance in Soap

• Alex Carter for Hollyoaks

Best Comedic Performance on Film & Television

• Entire Cast of Early Doors

Best Comedic Writing

• Craig Cash and Phil Mealey for Early Doors

Best Comedy Club

• XS Malarkey

Best Comedy Content in a Radio Show

• Lee Mack for The Lee Mack Show

The Les Dawson Award for services to comedy

• Johnny Vegas

2006 Winners and Nominees

The awards were presented at the Midlands Hotel Manchester. Host for the evening was Dave Spikey.

Best Radio

• Civilisation by Chris Addison & Carl Cooper (Winner)
  • John Shuttleworth's Open Mind by Graham Fellows (Nominee)
  • Nebulous by Graham Duff (Nominee)
  • The Cavity Within by Jim Poyser (Nominee)

Best Break-through

• Sarah Millican (Winner)
  • Vince Atta (Nominee)
  • Dave Longley (Nominee)
  • Daliso Chaponda (Nominee)

Best Stand-Up

• Jason Manford (Winner)
  • Jim Jeffries (Nominee)
  • Mick Ferry (Nominee)
  • Steve Hughes (Nominee)

Best Comedy Venue

• Frog & Bucket (Winner)
  • XS Malarkey (Nominee)
  • Rawhide (Nominee)
  • Comedy Store (Nominee)

Writers

• Craig Cash/Caroline Aherne/Phil Mealey for The Royle Family (Winner)
  • Graham Duff for Ideal (Nominee)
  • Frank Cottrell-Boyce for A Cock and Bull Story (Nominee)
  • Steve Coogan/Neil MacLennan for Saxondale (Nominee)

Best Comedic Performance

• David Threlfall for Shameless (Winner)
  • Roy Barraclough for Funland (Nominee)
  • Johnny Vegas for Ideal (Nominee)
  • Steve Coogan for Saxondale (Nominee)

Best Comedic Performance in a Soap

• Anthony Cotton in Coronation Street (Winner)

The Les Dawson Award for Services to Comedy

• Caroline Aherne (Winner)

External links

• Official Site for the North West Comedy Awards