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.

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

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

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

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
  • London: The Bill Murray
  • North: Hot Water, Liverpool
  • South: Brighton Komedia
  • Midlands and East: Birmingham Glee
  • Scotland: Monkey Barrel, Edinburgh
  • Wales: Cardiff Glee
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.