THE MALCOLM HARDEE AWARD is presented annually “for comic originality of thought or performance” at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Photo by John Fleming

It is in memory of “one of the most anarchic figures of his era” - “the greatest influence on British comedy over the last 25 years” and the “godfather to a generation of comic talent".

The 2009 Award was made on the evening of Friday 28th August, during a special 90-minute comedy show in the Debating Hall of the Gilded Balloon, Edinburgh. All profits went to the Children with AIDs Charity.

The 2009 judges were Tim Arthur (Time Out), Dominic Cavendish (Daily Telegraph), Kate Copstick (The Scotsman), John Fleming (co-author of Malcolm's autobiography), Julian Hall (The Independent), Dominic Maxwell (The Times) and Jay Richardson (The Scotsman/The List)

The Debating Hall

THE CHILDREN WITH AIDS CHARITY is a registered charity set up in the UK in 1992. Patrons include Christopher Biggins, Annabel Croft, Maureen Lipman, George Michael, Esther Rantzen, Dame Diana Rigg and Terry Waite. Full details on their website.

MALCOLM AT THE FRINGE

To downlod a pdf file of extracts from Malcolm's autobiography I Stole Freddie Mercury's Birthday Cake, CLICK HERE

To read Comedy Demon's feature about Malcolm and the Award, CLICK HERE

To read reviews of his autobiography, CLICK HERE

FOR WHAT?

The Award is for comedic talent and potential. It is for performers who, in the opinion of the judges, have not yet been given the attention they deserve and who have some potential for continuing and - hey! - perhaps developing their act.

The winning act (probably an individual) does not need to have the potential to become a major mainstream star although he or she could have that potential. It is an award for people who deserve to succeed (either as cults or as stars) and who deserve to have their potential recognised and nurtured but who have not yet received their due recognition.

THE DESIGNER

JOHN WARD has been hailed by Time-Life as “possibly the best English eccentric inventor living today”. He vividly remembers a curry Malcolm cooked him many years ago. He explains the design of the Award in a 30 second video HERE. John's website is HERE

PRESS PHOTOS

If you are a member of the press, want high-resolution images for publication and do not have the special web address for downloadable photographs, please contact john@malcolmhardee.co.uk - 07836-703504 (UK)