Funny Women Awards

The Funny Women Awards have been running for nearly two decades with categories for performers, writers, film makers and creators. We thought we'd look back over the previous Stage Award finals with the help of founder Lynne Parker...

2003

Sarah Adams, in the guise of Jade the Folk Singer, was the winner in this first year, with Anna Keirle and Ria Lina named the runners-up.

Lynne says: "As well as a brilliant win by Sarah Adams, we awarded Kerry Godliman a special recommendation in the very first Awards in 2003 as she came in just a nano point behind third place Ria Lina. The judges really felt she was worth a mention and would 'go somewhere', hence why we created this odd ball 'fourth place' (sorry Kerry!). As it happens, both Kerry and Ria are really doing well now and have spent the last 13 years juggling their careers with families - it's a testament to their resilience and talent that these women have kept on gigging and are now getting the recognition they deserve."

2004

Zoe Lyons was the winner in the second year, with Anna Crilly and Janie Phayre also placed.

Lynne says: "I first met Zoe Lyons at a comedy night run by Miranda Hart and had a feeling she would be talented even though she didn't perform that night. Zoe looked familiar because she had been on the Survivor television programme but there was something more that I can't explain. My hunch was right, she won in 2004."

As can be seen from the picture above, Bridget Christie (second from right) was amongst the finalists in this year. Lynne comments: "Bridget Christie entered the Awards in 2004 and made the final line-up. 10 years later and she's making comedy history. We all have our time and sometimes it takes a few years to hone your material and style or for audiences to tune in to it - Bridget is a game changer and one of the most influential funny women who has ever entered our competition."

2005

Debra-Jane Appelby won in the competition's third year, with Sarah Millican and Ruth Bratt also placed.

Millican... er, that name rings a bell? Lynne recalls: "I saw Sarah Millican on one of her earliest ever gigs when she entered our Manchester heat in 2006. I was blown away by how funny she was. Clearly Sarah's subsequent career has thrown down a marker for women in comedy and her success is fantastic. Debra-Jane is also an amazing stand-up and still works the circuit - she is also a comedy historian and has a huge wealth of knowledge and experience."

2006

Suzy Bennett won in 2006, with Diane Morgan and Christina Martin placed.

2006 was a really strong year, as Lynne confirms. "2006 was 'staying power' year with a host of now familiar names making it to the final - Diane Morgan, Susan Calman, Liz Carr and Holly Walsh are all seen on television, from panel shows to detective drama! Winner Suzy Bennett celebrates 10 years on the circuit too and has four runs at the Edinburgh Fringe to her credit. I was also pleased to see that Sonya Kelly recently had a show at London's Soho Theatre."

2007

Andi Osho took home the prize in 2007, with Joanna Lau and Sharon Mannion the runners up. Finalists Nat Luurtsema and Emily Haworth-Booth both have books to their credit, proving that stand-up comedy is a great creative catalyst.

"In 2007 Andi Osho just took to the stage and blew everybody socks off! Something about her whole performance was electric." realls Lynne. "I still think there's more to come from her as a stand-up. Andi has been in the US, making films and has popped up recently on our TV screens as a presenter. A great all round talent."

2008

Katherine Ryan triumphed in 2008, in a final that also included Sara Pascoe and Rachel Stubbings (runners-up), plus Rachel Fairburn (highly recommended), Grainne Maguire and Pippa Evans.

Lynne recalls: "When I first saw Katherine Ryan perform in 2008, I chatted to her friends from work and one of them told me she was going to win! Who was I to doubt him! Both judge Maureen Vincent and I thought she was like young Rita Rudner and I genuinely got tingles in my stomach when she performed and went on to win! Her amazing success now proves a point."

2009

London Hughes (aka Miss London), Eve Webster and Jo Selby were the comedians to take home the placings in 2009.

Lynne says: "Another huge surprise was the wide eyed Miss London who, at just 20, is our youngest winner to date. She showed up to take part on the off-chance, so we offered her a place at the end of the night. I think she even fell asleep on bench at the back of the venue until her call on stage. Various signings and television projects have followed as a consequence of being seen in the Awards - excited to see where she goes next."

2010

2010 was the first time a sketch act triumphed in the Stage Award. Thankless Child was picked by the judges as the winner, with Julia Clark and Rachel Parris the runners-up.

Lynne says that 2010 was another bumper year. "The winning double act are no longer working together but high flyers Rachel Parris and Gemma Whelan have more than made up the loss. Abigoliah Schamaun took up UK residency from her native New York after making the final and Alison Thea-Skot is producing great shows. Jessica Fostekew and Helen Arney are both very successful as writers and performers with TV and radio work."

Here's Rachel Parris with her prize...

And Gemma Whelan picked up a Variety award as Chastity Butterworth ...

2011

Lara A King won in 2011, with Katherine Bennett and Bekka Bowling runners-up. Ladies Live Longer took home the Variety Award, and Christine Robertson was the winner of the first Funny Women Comedy Writing Award.

Lynne says: "Five years on and Sarah Callaghan is making a bit of a splash now. Mel Moon has realised her ambition to put on a show at the Edinburgh Fringe last year. Winner Lara A King continues to perform on the circuit and Emily Lloyd Saini splits her time between acting and comedy."

2012

Gabby Best, in character as Marijana, came out top in 2012, with Niamh Marron and Katie Tracey placed, and Sooz Kempner the Variety winner.

"So many of the finalists are busy and active with Edinburgh Fringe and touring shows", says Lynne Parker, "like Sooz Kempner, Lucy Frederick, Cerys Nelmes and winner Gabby Best, who went on to have some television exposure following the Awards. Sofie Hagen won best newcomer in the Fosters Edinburgh Fringe Awards two years on from our final and Viv Groskop won much acclaim for her brilliant book I Laughed, I Cried which documents how she tackled 100 gigs in 100 days. The Comedy Writing Award winner, Sarah Courtauld, is working on a new sitcom script with Susan Calman."

2013

Twisted Loaf were the winners in 2013, with Katie Lane and Elf Lyons also picked out by the judges. Revan & Fennell claimed the Variety Award.

Lynne says: "Twisted Loaf are a quirky mix of French & Saunders and Mighty Boosh - indeed they were seen by people who worked with both of these brilliant double acts during their Awards journey. Sometimes as terrifying as they are funny, Nina Smith and Libby Northedge push the boundaries and I think the world is ready for this style of female comedy. It is a progression on from French & Saunders and Tracey Ullman and relies on physicality rather than prosthetics. I predict we'll see them on telly very soon..."

Talking further about 2013, Lynne reflects this was "generally a hugely impressive year again with Elf Lyons, Bisha K Ali, Dotty Winters and Sindhu Vee as notable finalists. Sindu has even eschewed her merchant banking career to become a full time stand-up with a tour and a raft of television appearances in India already to her credit and a recent performance on a BBC Asian Network comedy showcase.

"2013 was a double for the double acts, as Revan & Fennell deserve due credit and we awarded them the Variety prize. My prediction is that we'll see more from Rosie and Alice this year with a second run at Edinburgh Fringe in the offing."

2014

In the 2014 Stage Award, Jayde Adams claimed the top spot, with Aine Gallagher and Lauren Pattison the runners up. The Comedy Shorts Award was introduced in this year - it was won by Sally Cancello.

Over to Lynne: "Winner Jayde Adams has been a great ambassador for us and, even though she still hasn't met Adele (!), being signed by United alongside runner-up Lauren Pattison means that the class of 2014 is rising high. Samantha Baines is also making waves with her live comedy shows, radio work and frequent acting roles."

2015

This contest was won by Desiree Burch. Sarah Keyworth and Raised By Wolves actor Helen Monks were the runner-up acts.

Lynne comments: "American Desiree Burch deservedly carried off the Funny Women Stage Award last year despite some stiff competition from a consistently high standard final ten. Stand-up had taken second place to Desiree's writing and performance art, as showcased so brilliantly in her one woman show Tar Baby which won a Fringe First Award in Edinburgh. Meanwhile Sarah has been signed to a major management deal and Helen also demonstrates her skills as a brilliant comic actor in the television series, Raised By Wolves."

2016

2016 saw the awards adjust slightly. Lynn explains: "We changed things up a bit and had six finalists all mentored by established comics. All of the finalists were of an extremely high standard and have since been signed to excellent management companies. The main prize went to Harriet Braine who simply charmed the judges with her hilarious take on art and artists, to the tune of well-known and well-loved pop songs. Whether or not musical comedy is your bag, Harriet's combination of modern day tunes with her hilarious take on life and art deservedly won her the prize in 2016."

2017/2018

Thanyia Moore, working at the time as a receptionist, won the stand-up competition in the year when it spanned 2017 and 2018.

Lynne says: "A completely natural, confident, charismatic performer, Thanyia thoroughly deserved her win and we have been so proud that she has worn the Funny Women Stage Award crown slightly longer due to our Awards sabbatical during 2018. Thanyia is one of those acts who leads from the front and is a brilliant host and headliner. She is an asset to any line up and literally lights up the stage."

2019

The competition came back stronger than ever in 2019, with its biggest ever final. English Teacher and mother of three Laura Smyth was the winner of the Stage Award in this year.

Lynne says: "Even after 16 years of Awards, I still get goose bumps when I see true 'funny bones'. This is the first year we selected from video entries and there was already a buzz about Laura at this stage. She then blew us away at her live heat, and went on to impress even more with her blistering semi-final performance. She had already set the bar high for the final but didn't disappoint. Watch this star rise!"

2020

Despite coronavirus destroying most live comedy in 2020, the Funny Women team impressively still managed to organise a live final in September. The acts appeared on stage at The Comedy Store, with the audience watching at home via a live stream. Izzy Askwith was crowned as the winner.

Lynne tells us: "Izzy's downbeat style is very much of our times. Given that we've operated mainly within the confines of the online space this year, Izzy's comedy perfectly lends itself to the small screen with it's 'everyday-ness' and her 'thoughts out loud' self-deprecating material. She is strangely both low and high status and although her comedy is less in your face than some of our previous winners, Izzy's material lingers long after the performance. Always a good sign that you're onto something new and exciting. Izzy was approached and signed by Dawn Sedgewick, who also signed Sara Pascoe straight from the 2008 Awards, within a week of her win. Need I say more?!"

Lynne Parker concludes: "Whether you win or not, getting into the final of the Funny Women Awards can be a tremendous step up for your career as these women are proving. We now have such a great alumni base to encourage and help the next generation (non-age specific!) to try stand-up, write a script or make a short film and we are evening up the odds on the circuit and with broadcasters who are more willing than ever to showcase great female comedy."

To find out more about Funny Women, and see a full list of the finalists across all years, visit funnywomen.com