Jason Manford named the hardest-working comedian of 2018 | Tom Allen No 2

Jason Manford named the hardest-working comedian of 2018

Tom Allen No 2

Jason Manford has been named the hardest working comedian of 2018.

The played more venues in the UK than any other, according to listings website Ents24.

Manford has been touring with his stand-up show Muddle Class and also presents a weekly radio show on Absolute Radio. He also appeared in a three-night run of Guys and Dolls at London’s Royal Albert Hall in October.

Joe Lycett, who came seventh in the list, treated it with true reverence when he said: ‘Sure, I’m the seventh hardest working comic, but when will I be recognised for the 1st hardest dick?’

And Angela Barnes, who was one place below him, said: 'I got the news that I'm the 8th hardest working comedian in the UK at 10.30am, while in my pyjamas... so yes, I definitely feel justified in being named in this prestigious list.'

Manford himself was apparently too busy to issue a response...

The full top 20 released today is

  1.  Jason Manford
  2.  Tom Allen
  3.  Sarah Millican
  4.  Chris Ramsey
  5.  Gary Delaney
  6.  Ed Byrne
  7.  Joe Lycett
  8.  Angela Barnes
  9.  Daliso Chaponda
  10.  Rich Hall
  11.  Carl Hutchinson
  12.  Stephen Bailey
  13.  Patrick Monahan
  14.  Ivo Graham
  15.  Zoe Lyons
  16.  Tim Vine
  17.  Iain Stirling
  18.  Kiri Pritchard-McLean
  19.  Tez Ilyas
  20.  Phill Jupitus

Gary Delaney was named the hardest working comedian last year, following in the footsteps of Romesh Ranganathan, Sarah Millican and Patrick Monahan.

Monahan and Delaney are the only two comedians to have appeared on the list in each of the four years the list has been compiled.

Critics have pointed out that the title primarily encompasses touring comedians, while overlooking club comics who tend to put in more miles on the road.

Published: 5 Dec 2018

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