City hails Dara O'Briain

Dara O’Briain has won an award for the year’s best comedy performance in the whole of, erm… Leicester.

The Irish stand-up was hailed at last night’s ceremony ahead of such fellow nominees as Dave Spikey for his appearance at the Leicester Comedy Festival's Summer Raspberry event.

Although he could not collect his award, presented by the Leicester Mercury’s This Week supplement he did send a message via festival organisers.

It said: “’Come and play De Montfort Hall,’ they said, rather than the slightly more accurate ‘Come and play a tent outside De Montfort Hall. And it'll be raining on the tent.’

“As I said on the night, I love a gig where I can see my own breath.  Still, it created a blitz spirit, bonding me and the audience as we huddled away from the elements and leading to a uniquely enjoyable gig, which I'm thrilled somebody there enjoyed as much as I did.

“By the way, after the gig I crashed a wedding in the hotel and struck out with one of the bridesmaids. I really am looking forward to getting back to Leicester soon.”

Published: 23 Mar 2005