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Adam Riches leads the nominations in this year’s Chortle Awards.

Having already scooped the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award, Riches is now in with a shot at Chortle’s breakthrough award, best sketch or character act, and best show.

Several comedians have two nominations to their name: Dylan Moran for his Yeah, Yeah, tour; Stewart Lee for his Comedy Vehicle on BBC Two, Edinburgh nominee Sam Simmons and Humphrey Ker, who was named best newcomer at Edinburgh.

The shortlists are decided by a panel of journalists. Chortle readers now decide the winners over the next ten days – with polls closing at midday on March 2. The accolades will be handed out in London on March 20, at a ceremony hosted by Alexei Sayle, presented in association with Universal Pictures.

There are a couple of changes to the awards this year. ‘Best headliner’ has become ‘best club comic’ to represent an increased focus on circuit acts performing well at clubs around the year; and the TV and radio award has been split into two to represent each medium. The innovation award has also been opened to public vote, reflecting the fact there are several strong contenders.

The Chortle Awards are the only comedy awards to reflect achievement across the spectrum of comedy – with nominees this year ranging from newcomers making their first steps, to Jerry Seinfeld.

The nominees are:

BEST NEWCOMER
Mark Cooper-Jones
Mark Stephenson
Matt Rees
Patrick Cahill

BREAKTHROUGH ACT
Adam Riches
Humphrey Ker
Sam Simmons
Tony Law

CLUB COMIC
Adam Bloom
Alun Cochrane
Dana Alexander
Hal Cruttenden
Michael Fabbri

COMPERE
Jimmy McGhie
Ray Peacock
Toby Hadoke
Susan Calman

CHARACTER OR SKETCH ACT
Adam Riches
Beta Males
Humphrey Ker
Idiots Of Ants

VARIETY AND MUSIC AWARD
Kunt & The Gang
La Soiree
New Art Club
The Rubberbandits

BEST SHOW
Bring Me The Head Of Adam Riches
Doug Stanhope
Tim Key
Sam Simmons: Meanwhile

BEST TOUR
Dave Gorman's Powerpoint Presentation
Dylan Moran: Yeah, Yeah
Jerry Seinfeld European tour
Mark Thomas: Walking The Wall
Stephen Merchant: Hello Ladies

TV AWARD
Charlie Brooker
Fresh Meat
Sorry I've Got No Head
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle

RADIO AWARD
Danny Baker
Infinite Monkey Cage
John Finnemore's Souvernir Programme
Party

INTERNET AWARD
Business Mouse (Modern Toss for C4 Comedy Blaps)
Do The Right Thing podcast
Fast Show (Fosters revival)
Richard Herring

BEST STAND-UP DVD
Dylan Moran: Yeah, Yeah
Greg Davies: Firing Cheeseballs At A Dog
Stewart Lee's Comedy Vehicle Series 2
Tim Minchin And The Heritage Orchestra Live At The Albert Hall

AWARD FOR INNOVATION
Sanderson Jones for comedysale.com
Set List
Simon Munnery for La Concepta
The Wrestling

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Published: 22 Feb 2012