Mark Simmons named Comics' Comic 2022
- Best Comic: Mark Simmons. He says he is honoured to be recognised by his peers
- Best MC: Cerys Nelmes. Best Independent Promoter: Stephen Grant
- Outstanding Achievement to UK Comedy: Downstairs at the King's Head promoter Peter Grahame
One-liner stand-up Mark Simmons has been awarded the Best Comic title in the Comics' Comic awards.
The results are determined exclusively via poll of comedians working on the UK comedy circuit.
On receiving the news, Simmons said: "Wow, thank you so much, this is very unexpected and I'm so so chuffed. Comedians are my favourite people so to be voted for by them is incredible. Being up there alongside the amazing previous winners, many of which, I've looked up to since starting comedy, makes me very happy. I bloody love stand-up.''
Best MC
The West Country based comic says: "It's about fucking time! Seriously though, I love MC'ing and making the night playable for all the fantastic comedians I work with! Long may I deliver!"
Best Independent Promoter
In 2022, the Brighton based comedian and comedy night organiser lost the contract to book the Komedia venue. He set up a new club called The Forge.
He says: "Absolutely made up to have won this award and honoured to be recognised like this - breathtaking when you consider how good everyone else is out there. Personally, last year has been the toughest of my life, as professionally I felt shattered, spending large parts of it wondering if I had the tools to build something from scratch anywhere near as good as what was lost. No exaggeration to say the only reason I could do this was the people I work with - especially Lucy MacDonald, who is thoroughly deserving of this award also, and critically the incredible support of the industry itself, who have made The Forge something really quite spectacular indeed. So in many ways, you were all voting for yourselves, you egotistical tossers."
Outstanding Achievement to UK Comedy
The Downstairs at the King's Head promoter was this year's recipient of the Outstanding Achievement award.
He says: "Wow - what a surprise and honour to have been awarded this accolade - especially as it comes from colleagues in the business. I have never liked comedians, and barely tolerate them for the three hours I see them at my gigs, so, more fool them.
"Huw Thomas and I started occasional comedy gigs Downstairs at the King's Head in Oct 1981 and built to regular performances from around 1983, so this is sort of our 40th year. The intention was to create a room that nurtured and encouraged the new, the odd and the mad in a welcoming environment. With the exception of my perma-misery, the club still has the same ethos and we are particularly proud that our Thursday Try Out nights (since 1986) have been the bridge to paid work for many professional performers.
"Joe Bor is currently finalising a film documenting the club's history, hopefully premiering in February at The Leicester Comedy Festival. That is where you'll be able to hear the disgusting truth about me from acts. In the meantime, I will keep the trophy until is taken off me - just after the premiere."
The Comics' Comic awards were started in 2013 by John Moloney as an alternative to various other prizes that he felt did not recognise professional comedians who work the circuit 'year in, year out'. Mick Ferry was the winner of the Best Comic title that year, and the award has since also recognised Gavin Webster, Zoe Lyons, Jeff Innocent, Ian Stone, Andy Askins, The Raymond & Mr Timpkins Revue, Scott Bennett, Jo Caulfield, Ninia Benjamin and Mark Nelson.
For the last six years the awards have been facilitated by Andy White from the Jesterlarf Comedy Club. He says he's "done his Community Service Time" and is now stepping down. He comments: "Word went out that a new person was needed to keep this worthy and prestigious award running and as you'd expect the email Inbox and phone voicemail was empty but grassroots circuit stalwart and mighty fine Yorkshireman Jack Gleadow offered his services to run it this year which is worthy of a hat tip and hopefully a few extra gig bookings for him or a pint or two at the annual Comedians Christmas Party in a few weeks which is when the awards will be presented."
Jack Gleadow says: "These awards are great as they recognise the achievements of acts and promoters that are often forgotten for their hard work week in week out entertaining audiences up and down the country on the UK's Comedy Circuit and it's nice that a spotlight can be shown on them."