YER generic Friday night upstairs at the Goat & Gangrene in Crapton-on-Brine might still be booking eight white blokes complaining about their divorces, but in the urban centres the alternative scene is as exciting, experimental and inclusive as it’s ever been.

Special mention to brilliant nights LolWord, Weapons of Mass Hilarity, and Brown Sauce for bringing alternative comedy to new audiences, and to the Alternative Comedy Memorial Society for continuing to confuse all the right people.

Rosie Jones has had another brilliant year — the foul-mouthed, queer, disabled comedian, who brings an anarchic sense of joy and no-fucks-given attitude to every stage, podcast or TV show she graces. Special word for her particularly brilliant turns on Channel 4’s Last Leg as part of their exemplary Paralympics coverage.