Firstly – I’d like to read / link to the Amused Moose website but it’s throwing out “not secure” warnings as apparently the promoter (Hils, Jago, then aged 80) stepped back in 2023 (Chortle) and it looks like they didn’t find a buyer for the business.

I’ll have to glean what I can from other stories.

Amused Moose was a comedy venue that started in 1997 and championed new acts, often by sending them up to Edinburgh. They had their own shows set up (at the Fringe) and would showcase new talent – such as Russell Howard in 2002.

In this 2018 interview (with Hils Jago) they talk about the Amused Moose National New Comic Award, that was started in 1999. Originally set up as the Amused Moose Star Search.

The Award ran from a music pub in Chalk Farm, London and the 1999 finalists included:

• Jimmy Carr
• Josie Long

It appears Josie, then aged 17, won – but I’m not able to see the other finalists.