The most coveted award in comedy history (probably) is back for its fifth year! Celebrating the top twenty comedians that have trawled up and down motorways, hit the most postcodes and have performed their sets at the most venues around the UK this year, we’ve crunched some data and can announce our Hardest Working Comedian list for 2019.
Following in the footsteps of previous winners Patrick Monahan (2015), Romesh Ranganathan (2016), Gary Delaney (2017), and Jason Manford (2018) the Ents24 Hardest Working Comedian of 2019 is...
Lee Ridley - Lost Voice Guy!
Lee Ridley, also known as Lost Voice Guy, has become a household name since winning the 12th series of Britain’s Got Talent in June 2018, but has been performing stand up for a number of years. Known for a unique comedy routine delivered entirely through his speech synthesiser, Lee embarked on his first UK tour in February, released his book, ‘I’m Only In It For The Parking’ this spring and he’s obviously not stopped since.
Lee had this to say about receiving the accolade of Hardest Working Comedian 2019:
“I’ve had such an unbelievable time since I won BGT back in 2018, and my feet haven’t really touched the ground since. I’ve had such a busy time writing my first book, appropriately titled I’m Only In It For The Parking, meeting royalty, and dancing at an after party with a Chuckle Brother. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that I’d ever have a sell-out UK tour, but this year I achieved just that.”
“I’ve honestly lost count of the number of shows I have done now, but it’s really nice that all the hard work and traveling around the country has been recognised. Thanks to all the people who came to see me on tour, you’ve made it an absolute pleasure to do. Special thanks to my tour support, Jonny Awsum, all the other tour crew, my agents at Gag Reflex and Andrew Roach Talent, and everyone else who has been involved. It’s been great but I’m looking forward to sleeping in my own bed again!”
A special mention must also go to Gary Delaney, who is the only comedian to appear in the top 20 list for the past 5 years, having topped the charts in 2017. We hope he’ll continue to grace our ‘Hardest Working’ lists and UK stages for many years to come, but any rest is definitely well-earned we think!
So without further ado, here’s the rest of the Hardest Working Comedian list for 2019, with quotes from many of the acts.
To find out about their upcoming dates just click the comedian’s name. Hit the star and follow the act on their page to be kept up to date with all future tour announcements and reminded of ticket on sale times via email.
- Lee Ridley - Lost Voice Guy
- Ivo Graham -
"Thanks to Ents24 for the recognition! Delighted to confirm that I regret pretty much all of the sacrifices made in pursuit of this highly dubious accolade!" - Jimmy Carr
- Daliso Chaponda -
"Haha. Finally vanquished Gary Delaney. Spiking your drink clearly worked. Lost Voice Guy, watch your back, I'm coming for you next year." - Stewart Francis -
“5th hardest working comedian is slightly misleading as I was flaccid for several of those shows" - Gary Delaney -
“I’m honoured to be an ever present in this list, although slightly disappointed this is my first time slipping out of the top 5. I really shouldn’t have taken that afternoon off.” - Russell Kane
- James Acaster -
“I’m way too busy to give you a quote” - Scott Bennett -
"I am honoured to receive this accolade, but I'd like to share it with my wife and children who I abandon every weekend to go and chase a dream and my trusty Kia Sportswagon that helps take me there. I am currently pulled over in a truck stop on the side of the A1 raising a flask of Douwe Egberts in honour of this rather wonderful award." (Other brands of car and coffee are available, but this is my attempt at some sort of Sponsorship deal) - Ed Gamble -
“It feels great to have my status as the 10th most grizzled road dog finally recognised. It’s a hard life out there on tour - sometimes the service stations don’t have an M&S and I have to settle for a Waitrose. It’s just me, the open road, my tour manager and my tour manager’s car. What a hard working guy I am.” - Sindhu Vee
- Mark Watson -
"I'm the 12th hardest working comedian of the year. This reminds me of when my mum brought a friend to my show and all she said afterwards was 'you must be very tired after saying all that'." - Laura Lexx -
“Playing gigs is no hardship at all, it's been an absolute pleasure (except for the buses, trains, motorways and taxis part) I'm looking forward to carrying on with my tour in 2020 and smashing out a billion more shows.” - Glenn Moore -
“I’m delighted to be included in this list of hardest working comedians. Next year I aim to up the work-rate, with double the number of gigs (just shy of 9).” - Justin Moorhouse
- Suzi Ruffell
- Robert White -
"2010 I won The Malcolm Hardee Award, 2018 I came 2nd on Britain's Got Talent and now at the end of 2019 I come 17th in a list of hardest working comedians. Continuing this career progression, I plan to come 256th in the Horsham Parish Fete Best Flan Contest 2027! Fingers crossed!" - Josh Widdicombe
- Ben Elton
- Stephen Bailey -
"This makes all the driving to gigs in Hull worth it! Next year I’ll aim to work harder to get top 5”
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