Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year
One of the longest running comedy competitions in the UK, the prestigious Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition took place for its 26th edition on Saturday 22nd February 2020 as part of Leicester Comedy Festival. The event is an annual sell-out as part of the festival and entry is via nomination by one of the selected comedy promoters. There is no open entry process so do not contact us.
The Winner of the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition 2020 was Eric Rushton @ericrushton96
Random facts about Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition
- Tickets for the first Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year Competition cost just £2.50
- Steve Knuckles won the first competition back in 1995; he then disappeared without trace
- Reginald D Hunter was runner up to Mitch Benn in 1998
- Jimmy Carr performed a rap when he entered the competition in 2001
- John Bishop entered in 2001; the Leicester Mercury review said “we think we’ll be hearing more from him in the future.”
- Greg Davies was runner up in 2003
- Leicester based comedian Matt Hollins beat Russell Kane, to win the competition in 2004
- Shane Allen, big cheese of comedy at BBC, was on the judging panel in 2005 when he worked for Channel 4
- Jack Whitehall was runner up in 2008
- Luke Benson is the only comedian to have made it through to the final twice; once in 2008 & then again in 2011
- Over 6,500 people have watched the competition over the past 21 years; 200 comedians have taken part
Previous winners of the Competition include:
| Stevie Knuckles (winner) |  |
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1996Jo Enright (winner) Gary O’Donnell |
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1997Johnny Vegas (winner) Natalie Haynes |
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“When you’re up-and-coming, you need something to get your foot in the door and winning the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year – that was great.” |
1998Mitch Benn (winner) TJ Murphy |
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1999Patrick Kitterick (winner) Dominic Frisbee |
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2000Jason Manford (winner) Jason Whitehead |
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2001Miles Jupp (winner) Jimmy Carr |
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2002Matt Blaize (winner) Bill Wooland |
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2003Rhod Gilbert (winner) Claire Pollard |
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2004Matt Hollins (winner) Russell Kane |
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2005Debra Jane Appleby (winner) Dave Longley |
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2006James Branch (winner) Emma Fryer |
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“The Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year helps to raise the profile of comedians and get them noticed.” |
2007Carl Donnelly (winner) Sean Moran |
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2008Henry Paker (winner) Jack Whitehall |
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2009Seann Walsh (winner) Fergus Craig |
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2010Josh Widdicombe (winner) Ivo Graham |
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“I was delighted, shocked and excited. It was such an honour to be on same list as so many incredible past winners.” |
2011Ben Target (joint winner) Ben Target |
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2012Matt Rees (Winner) Chris Turner |
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2013Romesh Ranganathan (Winner) Lucy Beaumount |
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“The line-up was so strong I never thought I stood a chance of winning. Everyone on stage that night will go on to become brilliant comedians. Comedy has always been a passion of mine and when I won the competition my career really took off.” |
2014Kate Lucas (winner) Dane Baptiste |
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2015Tom Little (winner) Stephanie Laing |
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“It’s such a big deal that the amazing finalists are voted for by the industry. I’m so pleased to be one of them.” |
2016Tom Lucy (winner) George Lewis |
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“It’s amazing, unbelievable, it’s very flattering to be alongside such big names.” |
2017Alasdair Beckett-King (winner) Alex Mahoney |
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“Being nominated for Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year was a great experience. It was a great show to perform in and such a lovely lineup to be part of. If I could share the title with the other nominees, I would. As long as I get to keep the money..” |
2018Jack Gleadow (winner) Simon Lomas |
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2019Daniel Sofoluke (winner) Kathryn Mather |
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