John Robertson's a Legend Of Lockdown

Latest Chortle Award winner announced

John Robertson is the latest winner of a Chortle Award for being a Legend Of Lockdown.

The London-based Australian comic is being recognised for his prodigious output on his Robbotron Twitch stream.

An inventive, high-energy quick-thinking host, he produces multiple themed shows a week, including Crap Video Games Night and Sunday Lunch With Your Dad.

He’s always fully interacting with his audience’s contributions in the chat, creating a supportive community of like-minded fans, who have found escape and companionship in the show.

Robertson has also raised almost £50,000 for charity over the year, half of it from a 48-hour marathon playing of his impossible adventure game, The Dark Room:

Here are some of your comments:

• ‘[I nominate him] For the wonderful and funny community he has created on Twitch. He manages to stream for at least 2hrs six times a week, doing improv whilst also somehow making a safe space for people who are maybe having not such a great time during lockdown. His humour and the community he has created have helped to make me feel not so alone whilst being lone at home!’ Princessfinch

• ‘Genuinely, this man has kept our family sane and given us immense accounts of joy since March last year. He has consistently streamed almost every day (doing multiple daily shows!), not only doing his Dark Room show, but also creating a wide range of characters based on throwaway comments and random items sent in to him. I cannot thank him enough and he is completely deserving of all accolades. He is a true legend of lockdown.’ Anonymous

• ‘John's been not only raising thousands for charity. He's been streaming a variety of content every week, with whatever gets you through, whether that's a 35-year-old-anime fan who thinks he's a cat, a gossipy Pope, an MUD Guardian who wants to kill you, or just a wholesome Sunday Lunch with your Dad. But most importantly, this wonderful, welcoming, utterly supportive community has built up around him, and it's an utter joy to be a part of, week after week. Diverse, perverse, wholesome, yet awful: John Robbertson's Twitch is a lifesaver for lockdown.’ Ruth B

• ‘John has reinvented comedy in the lockdown era using innovative, creative Twitch streams and working so hard he barely has a minute to breathe and relax. His dedication to entertainment is unstoppable.’ Tom Cologue

• ‘John Robertson has expertly tailored his live show to be fully digital but remain interactive with us, the fans. I can not count the number of times John has bounced off numerous material provided by myself and other members of his community. When you're in lockdown and feeling isolated, John Robertson really goes a long way in making sure you aren't a viewer in his stream, but included in every action he undertakes and continues to strive to make every viewer equal and special. He makes you believe that he could be in your living room performing just for you and enjoying your company and jokes for himself. Versatile and well rounded with many character sketches, funny use of objects like his shovel of ducks but most importantly, his genuine love for comedy and us, his fans that he time and time again makes sure are the most important part of his stream. ‘ Curt Webb

• ‘His Twitch channel, Robbotron, has been an absolute lifeline and bright spark throughout 2020 and continues to go from strength to hilarious strength. His quick reactions to anything that happens in the chat and his vast array of characters are works of genius and the community built around the streams is a great comfort for many. For someone that has only just passed their one-year stream anniversary, he's raised an immense amount of money for charity and has grown a very strong following. Adapting from stage performances to online streaming daily couldn't have been easier, but John has done amazingly and is well deserving of this award.’ Anonymous

Here is Robertson’s typically intense acceptance video…

We will be announcing new winners at around 1pm, 3pm and 5pm every day this week, picked from almost 8,000 nominations.

The 2021 Chortle Awards are supported by Audible, a leading provider of spoken-word entertainment, including exclusive comedy podcasts from the likes of Alan Partridge, Kurupt FM and French & Saunders. Currently, new members can sign up for three months for a total of just 99p - details are here.

Sam Bryant, Audible’s head of comedy, said: ‘Defying all the problems of lockdown, creative people have been doing brilliant work to keep the country entertained at a time when it’s most needed, and they deserve recognition and support.’

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Our previous winners:

Marcus Brigstocke and Rachel Parris

For:Their Tuesday Night Club hosted by Always Be Comedy

Citation: Like many of the regular comedy shows staged during the lockdown, the pair’s homespun broadcasts - featuring comedy, audience chat and lip-syching – have built a great sense of community among regular audiences… but the giddy sense of daft joy is unique.

Your comments:

• Just amazing comedy. Marcus and Rachel have created something truly special in Tuesday Night Club - the comedy is fantastic and the community they have created is amazing. Tuesday night is a highlight of the week! Charlie Mitchell

• I have been shielding since March and Tuesday Night Club has kept me sane. They are the highlight of my week. Karen Dunlop

• They've given us deep joy at Tuesday night club since last summer and it's been brilliant! It's a lovely community to be a part of and they've enveloped us all into one big family! Liz Knowles

• Tuesday night club has been a ray of sunshine, giggles, Tunnocks tea cakes and hope.  Thank you Cathy Collins

• For giving out the most amazing, fun entertainment from their living room every week in Tuesday Night Club, shining a light for their audience through some dark, tough times whilst going through tough times themselves. Legends. Betty B

• Their lip-syncs were hilarious and authentic and creative and uplifting and unexpected and brilliant Amy B

• Awesomeness every Tuesday with this amazing pair. The best songs and games and stand up delivered with love and joy  Samantha

Acceptance speech:

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Mark Olver

For: Belly Laughs charity gig and Who Said That? panel show

Citation: Olver has raised more than £33,000 for a gig that celebrated the very best of Bristol, a city of which he’s rightly proud, as well as devising and hosting 27 episodes of a panel show that gives opportunities to up-and-coming comedians alongside some of the biggest names in the business, while providing a relaxed, funny show for the audience on YouTube.

Your comments:

• [Who Said That?] is funny, first of all. It's random, no real rules and yet the delightful illusion of it being an actual quiz! I think they handle the zoom format very well, and when it goes wrong they incorporate that into the comedy. I think Mark is such a great host, no pressure he is the king. Helen Swan

• He's raised a fortune for charity while championing comedy acts up and coming and established. Bristol legend. Rachel Dibben

• [Who Said That?] is an innovative and funny show that started as a ‘project’ to keep the producer and creator Simon busy whilst the TV industry was shutting down. Not only that but it features a lot of up and coming talent. It’s a great watch and provides an easy and entertaining watch. Anonymous

• So easy to watch when my lockdown brain is in a frenzy, introduced me to lots of comics I've not seen before as well as familiar faces. Easily accessible as simply posted on YouTube. Relaxed style feels a bit like mucking about with your mates at the pub, and you can play along too. Really funny with minimal political content therefore giving me a lovely break from reality. Anonymous

• [Belly Laughs was] an incredible online event that pulled Bristolians together for a night of lockdown comedy and raised over £40k while at. Appearances for Stephen Merchant, Russell Howard, Jon Richardson was a treat too! Josh

Acceptance speech:

Published: 22 Mar 2021

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