Leicester Comedy Festival is looking for passionate comedy fans to join their 2020 awards panel.

The festival organisers explain: "The panel, made up of comedy fans from across the UK, will get VIP treatment during the 19 day festival, as they get to see more comedy than most and decide on the final award winners."

The festival runs from 5th to 23rd February 2020 and applicants, who should be aged over 18 and demonstrate a love of live comedy, must be able to be in Leicester for a minimum of one week during the festival period.

The awards were launched in 2006 and are designed to recognise the artists and promoters who are involved in the annual event. There are several awards, many of which are decided upon by the awards panel, including:
Best Show
Best New Show
Best Musical Show
Best Kids Show
Best Impro Show

The results of the awards will be presented at a special ceremony which will take place after the 2020 festival.

One of the past judges, Craig Bird, said: "I was first a panel member at Leicester Comedy Festival in 2010 and it was a fantastic experience. Alongside established comedians I had the chance to see acts at the very start of their careers. I remember seeing Nick Helm in a small room at The Belmont Hotel and now he has appeared on BBC TV and has become a regular headliner at comedy shows across the UK. The camaraderie amongst the panel members is amazing and I'm still friends with many of the people I first met during the festival. I truly believe it is something you won't regret and will look forward to applying again in 2020."

Mike Took, who has been a panel member for the past 3 years, says: "I have had so much fun being on the awards panel. Leicester Comedy Festival has become one of the absolute highlights of my annual comedy calendar. To see so many amazing shows in so many weird and fabulous venues (and then debate them with other like-minded comedy fans) is a joy and a privilege, I just can't wait for February to come round again!"

Festival founder and director Geoff Rowe comments: "The Awards Panel has become a critical part of the annual festival and comedians who are nominated recognise and appreciate the importance of the awards. The lucky members of the panel work really hard during the 19 day festival, often running from show to show to see as much as possible. We hope we'll get a good range of applications from people keen to indulge their passion for comedy who will love to be part of the team spotting the cream of the great talent that will be on show next February. For comedy fans it's like being in heaven - seeing hours of some of the best live comedy around."

Applications can be made by emailing info@bigdifferencecompany.co.uk

The full programme for Leicester Comedy Festival 2020 is now available online by visiting comedy-festival.co.uk