Black Comedy Awards History and Previous Winners
History of the Black Comedy Awards
The first celebration of black British comedy took place in 1999 and was entitled ‘The Black Entertainment Comedy Awards’. These awards ran for seven years and recognised a number of now well established cmedians on the black comedy circuit,including Curtis Walker and Slim. The outstanding contributions and achievements of actors such as Rudoplh Walker, Don Warrington and Marcel Joseph (Fresh Prince of Bel Air) were also acknowledged.
Following the 2006 awards there was a 3 year hiatus before the next awards. In November 2009, Harmony Productions organised and hosted the awards which were held at the Indigo O2. Winners included Slim, Kevin J and Harmony Productions. Unfortunately, the awards went into a further 3 year period of hibernation.
Aware that black comedians were not receiving the recognition and media profile that their comedy talent merited, Tiemo Entertainments decided to return the spotlight to them. In April 2012 Tiemo Entertainments hosted the Black Comedy Awards at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London. It was well received and big award winners included Felicity Ethnic, Gina Yashere, Richard Blackwood and Slim (twice).
We still believe there is a great deal of black comedy talent out there. However, despite the huge boom in comedy, you rarely see these comedians on television.
Tiemo aim to ensure that the great comedians and up coming talent are consistently recognised on an annual basis. What sets our awards apart? We not only recognise the most popular stand up comedians, but also those comedians performing straight acting roles (i.e we do not focus solely on stand up); we celebrate young up and coming talent and most importantly it is you, the public, that determines the winners.
We hope that as a result of re-establishing these awards, talented black comedians will get the recognition and respect for the entertainment they provide across London and up and down the country.
To see the past winners click on each headline below…
2013 - Crystal Banqueting Hall
- Best Male Newcomer – Dizzle
- Best Female Newcomer – Thanyia Moore
- Best Supporting Actor – Richard Blackwood for Donkey in ‘Shrek’
- Best Theatre Lead – Angie Le Mar – ‘In My Shoes’
- Best Female Comedienne – Gina Yashere
- Best International Comedian – London Brown
- Best Comedy Movie – ‘Think Like a Man’ – Kevin Hart
- Best Comedy Actor – Kevin Hart
- Best Web Series – Meet the Adebanjos
- Best Theatre Show – ‘Shrek’11.
- Best Male Comedian – Slim
- Most Popular DVD – ‘Skinny Bitch’ – Gina Yashere
- Best Stand-Up Comedy show host – Richard Blackwood
- Best Radio or TV Show host – Curtis Walker – Colourful Radio
- Lifetime Achievement Award – Felix Dexter
2012 - Bloomsbury Theatre
- Best Young Female Comedienne – Kayleigh ‘Loudmouth’ Lewis.
- Best Young Male Comedian – Nathan Caton.
- Best Female Comedienne – Felicity Ethnic.
- Best Male Comedian – Slim.
- Best Black Comedian on mainstream circuit – Nathan Caton.
- Best Comedian in an acting role – Richard Blackwood (Shrek).
- Best International Comedian – Gina Yashere.
- Best Comedy night – Comedy Roast.
- Funniest Comedy Moment– Slim’s accident during a “private and intimate” moment. Or should we say, a once private moment?!!
2011 - Show Cancelled
2010 - Show Cancelled
2009 - Indigo O2
- Best Newcomer – Kevin J
- Best TV Performance – Slim
- Best Female Comedian – Glenda Jaxon
- Best Male Comedian – Slim
- Best Comedy Promotion – Harmony Productions
- Best International – Chris Rock
- Outstanding Achievement – The cast of Real McCoy
2008 - Show Cancelled
2007 - Show Cancelled
2006 - Shepherds Bush Theatre
- Best Male – Kojo
- Best Female – Gina Yashere
- Best Newcomer – Eddie
- Best Comedy TV Show – Little Miss Jocelyn
- Best Production – Brothers
- Outstanding Contribution To Comedy – Curtis Walker
- Best International – Bernie Mac
- Lifetime Achievement – Brian Bovell
2005 - Catford Broadway Theatre
- Best Male – Kojo
- Best Female – Gina Yashere
- Best Newcomer – Babatunde
- Most Improved – Quincy
- Outstanding Contribution To Production Plays – Blue Mountain Theatre
- Best International (Caribbean) Comedian – Tony Hendriks
- Special Achievement To Comedy Industry – Jefferson & Whitfield
- Outstanding Contribution To Comedy – Angie Le Mar
- Best International – Bill Bellamy
- Lifetime Achievement – Don Warrington
2004 - Hackney Empire
- Best Male – Slim
- Best Female – Glenda Jaxson
- Best Newcomer – Fumbi
- Outstanding Contribution To Comedy – Rudi Lickwood
- Best Comedy Production/ Play – The Oddest Couple
- Best TV Comedy Entertainment Programe – BBC’s 3 Non Blondes
- Special Achievement To Comedy Industry – Keith Palmer
- Best International Lifetime Achievement – Joseph Marcell
2003 - Battersea Arts Centre
- Best Male – Leo Muhammad
- Best Female – Felicity Ethnic
- Best Newcomer – Special P
- Outstanding Contribution To Comedy – Kwaku
- Most Original – Wayne “Dibbi” Rollins
- People’s Choice Award – Victor Romero Evans
- Best Comedy Promoter – Heartbeat Productions
- Lifetime Achievement – Lenny Henry
2002 - Show Cancelled
2001 - Regatta Centre
- Best Male – Felix Dexter
- Best Female – Gina Yashere
- Best Newcomer – Kojo
- Best Comedy Promoter – Geestor
- Outstanding Contribution To Comedy – Geoff Schumann
- Most Original – Angie Le Mar
- Special Achievement To Comedy Industry – Audie Anderson
- Best International – Will Smith
- Lifetime Achievement – Ram John Holder (Porkpie)
2000 - Stratford Town Hall
- Best Male – Richard Blackwood
- Best Female – Angie Le Mar
- Best Male Newcomer – Mr. Cee
- Best Female Newcomer – Donna Spence
- Best Comedy Promoter – In The House
- Outstanding Contribution To Comedy – Roy Diamond
- Most Original – Teddy Bear
- Best International – Martin Lawrence
- Lifetime Achievement – Mona Hammond
1999 - Stratford Town Hall
- Best Male – Curtis Walker
- Best Female – Gina Yashere
- Best Newcomer – Jocelyn Jee
- Best Comedy Promoter – Kwaku/Peter South (Comedy Slam)
- Outstanding Contribution To Comedy – John Simmitt
- Best International – Chris Rock
- Lifetime Achievement – Rudolph Walker