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 Paddy 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
Best Stand Up on the North West Comedy Circuit
Best Comedic Performance on Film & TV
Best Comedic Performance in Soap
- Alex Carter for Hollyoaks
Best Comedy Club
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
Best Stand up on the North West Circuit
Best Touring Comedy Production/Show
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
Best Comedy Content in a Radio Show
- Lee Mack for The Lee Mack Show
The Les Dawson Award for services to comedy
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)