Chortle Awards 2013

Last week Victoria Nangle went to the comedy industry’s annual gathering for the Chortle Awards

It was quite the star-studded affair, With Ray Galton & Alan Simpson – who wrote such classics as Steptoe & Son and Hancocks’s Half Hour – receiving a lifetime achievement award, presented by Harry Enfield, as well as other such comedy luminaries as Omid Djalili, Arthur Smith and Mick Miller rubbing shoulders with – amongst others –  double award winner (Best tour for Carpet Remnant World and Best DVD for Fist Of Fun Series 2) Stewart Lee and wild man winner (Best Show for ‘Maximum Nonsense’) Tony Law.

Brighton venue Komedia were celebrating too, as they picked up an award for Best Venue In The South, as well as their Bath club picking up the same accolade for their region. Brighton comics Michael Fabbri and Adam Hess were representing our stronghold of a comedy scene, and we were greeted by other familiar faces to our seaside clubs in the form of Paul Sinha (ITV’s The Chase), Nick Helm and Angela Barnes.

We had a chat on behalf of Latest TV with Mr Lee, who praised the value of these industry awards, and also spoke with The Boy With Tape On His Face aka Sam Wills (winner of best Music Or Variety Act), who was available on that rare occasion without any tape in the vicinity at all, before dashing off home early for his babysitter. Best Newcomer winner Lucy Beaumont was also on hand for a catch up on camera, proving herself most charming, still dazed from her win and claiming it on behalf of all of her talented fellow-nominees.

Also presenting awards were writer Caitlin Moran, former Coronation Street actress Helen Flanagan, Countryfile presenter Julia Bradbury, and Jo Brand hosted the evening’s proceedings. Keen eyes also spotted in attendance Bill Oddie, as well as Lee Ryan and Duncan James from Blue. The entertainment was provided by beatboxer Shlomo and Adamski.