Now in its fourth year, Ents24's Hardest Working Comedians list celebrates the twenty comedians that have (much like Ents24, ahem), managed the largest number of shows at different venues around the country this year.
Following in the footsteps of previous winners Patrick Monahan (2015), Romesh Ranganathan (2016), and Gary Delaney (2017), the Ents24 Hardest Working Comedian of 2018 is...
Jason Manford!
Jason said:
"It has been a crazy year to be fair so I’m over the moon that it’s been recognised by Ents24. Having performing to 250,000 people at over 160 Muddle Class tour dates, my Absolute Radio show every Sunday morning and somehow fitting in Guys & Dolls at the Albert Hall & two series of What Would Your Kid Do? for ITV, I gotta say, I’m looking forward to Christmas!
I want to dedicate this award to my incredibly supportive family. Whoever they are, I’ve not seen them for months!"
Jason's reach has extended beyond comedy in the past few years, with the release of his top 10 album 'A Different Stage', accompanying concerts and even a role in Guys & Dolls at the Royal Albert Hall – but dominating his 2018 was stand-up, as he brought his Muddle Class tour to venues across the country. Discounting his non-comedy shows, he still safely took this year's #1 spot.
Just two comedians have appeared on every Hardest Working list since its inception four years ago: 2015's Hardest Working Comedian Patrick Monahan and 2017's Hardest Working Comedian Gary Delaney.
Here is 2018's Hardest Working Comedians list in full, along with quotes from many of the acts on it.
Click on any comedian's name to see their forthcoming dates, or click 'Get Alerts' to sign up for email alerts on future dates instantly.
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Tom Allen Get Alerts
"I'm afraid I am far too tired to know what any of this means. However I will say that I am flabbergasted - my flab has never been so ghasted. And I am very grateful to everyone I’ve been working with to make this possible.” -
Sarah Millican Get Alerts
“I'm thrilled to come third in the Ents24 Hardest Working Comedian list though it feels a bit like when I got 97% in a maths exam at school and my dad asked what happened to the other 3%. Also, my husband, Gary Delaney, came first in this list last year so this is bound to come up in arguments. But yep, apart from that, thanks.” -
Joe Lycett Get Alerts
“Sure, I’m the 7th hardest working comic, but when will I be recognised for the 1st hardest d__k?” -
Angela Barnes Get Alerts
"I got the news that I'm the 8th hardest working comedian in the UK at 10.30am, while in my pyjamas and watching my second episode of Border Force of the day, so yes, I definitely feel justified in being named in this prestigious list. Now excuse me, this Ben and Jerry's won't eat itself in front of Countdown." -
Stephen Bailey Get Alerts
“This is so wonderful! I was raised with a really good work ethic and was told you had to work for everything you wanted and nobody would just give you anything! Listening to my very hard-working working class parents has started to pay off.“ -
Ivo Graham Get Alerts
"Proud to have snuck onto this list, and will do my very utmost to shake off my few remaining ties to friends and family so I can crack the top 10 next year." -
Iain Stirling Get Alerts
“To finally be recognised for my incredible work ethic is a real honour. I would like to thank Jo Walker my tour manager, pop/punk bands from circa 2005 and every motorway service station with a McDonalds for their continued support”. -
Tez Ilyas Get Alerts
“It's nice to know that someone was keeping checks on all the mileage I've done this year.”
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