Leicester fest honours Rik Mayall

Rik Mayall was named 'legend of comedy' at the Leicester comedy festival awards show last night.

Alexei Sayle accepted the accolade from festival director Geoff Rowe on behalf of his friend, who died aged 56 last year.

Sayle said:'It was such a terrible shock when he died. Awards like this continue to keep his memory alive.'

The winner of best new show was Romesh Ranganathan and best festival debut went to Phil Jerrod for his stream-of-consciousness show, inspired by his upbringing in middle-class Warwickshire. Jerrod had also been nominated for best newcomer at the Chortle Awards last night.

Nick Wisdom, son of the late great comedy icon Norman Wisdom, walked off with the award for best contribution to the 2015 festival, along with De Montfort Hall, for an exhibition which celebrated the life and work of his father.

Lynn Ruth Miller, though to be the oldest performing stand-up comedian on both sides of the Atlantic, won the Liberty Award, based on audience tweets.

Other awards went to Curve (Best Venue, Over 200 capacity), The Cookie (Best Venue, Under 200 capacity); The Cookie (Best Promoter); Leicester City Libraries (Make Me Happy Community Project); Paul Banks, Peril Design (Best Poster) and Lucy Bloomfield, Reach Marketing (Lifetime Contribution).

Published: 17 Mar 2015