Rare footage unearthed on the third anniversary of his death

Rare footage of Sean Hughes performing in Edinburgh on the year he won the Perrier has been unearthed on the third anniversary of his death.

The stand-up became the youngest ever winner of the comedy award in 1990, at the age of 24,  and the ITN footage shows him performing, reacting to the accolade and a phone interview with awards director Nica Burns.

He reveals that on the day of being announced winner, a financial company rang him up offering a lucrative corporate gig – which he turned down. But he also spoke of how the award might open doors for him.

Hughes died on October 16, 2017, at the age of 51 from the effects of cirrhosis. His final stand-up show, recorded at the Project Arts Centre in Dublin, can be heard for free on his official website.

Published: 16 Oct 2020