First live comedy competition of 2021
Nina Gilligan has been named Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, a decade after starting her stand-up career.
She had previously been Hot Water Comedian of the Year in 2013 and was a finalist in English Comedian of the Year 2016 and describes her style as ‘sometimes outrageous observational and storytelling comedy for all’.
The runner-up award went to Joseph Emslie, who began performing stand-up in 2016.
Hosted by Eshaan Akbar, last night’s final at The Y Theatre, Leicester, was the first live national comedy competition this year.
Eight comedians from across the UK took part – also including Arielle Souma, Christian Jegard, Dan Tiernan, Hassan Dervish, Jessie Nixon and Liz Guterbock – after being nominated by comedy promoters from around the country.