TWO Brighton-based comics have been listed among the 20 hardest working comedians of the year.

Angela Barnes and Zoe Lyons have both made the list for the number of venues they have visited in 2018.

The shortlist was made by ticket website Ents24.

Topping the list of hardest working comedians in 2018 is Jason Manford, who recently rounded off his Muddle Class tour in Brighton.

Other big names include Tom Allen, second, Sarah Millican, third and Joe Lycett, seventh.

Angela is the higher finisher of the two Brighton entries, placing eighth on the list.

A statement from Ents24 said that Angela had visited a staggering 91 venues in 2018 – that’s not including multiple shows at the same venue, which would surely put her over the 100 mark.

Speaking after finding out about her achievement Angela said: “When I first heard I was the eighth hardest working comedian in the UK I laughed because it was almost the afternoon on a weekday and I was still in my pyjamas and watching Border Force.

“I love my job, and can’t believe I am lucky enough to be able to do it.

So I guess a lot of the time it doesn’t really feel like work.

“But on the flipside, I drive 30,000 miles a year, haven’t had a holiday and my boyfriend has forgotten what my face looks like, which can be a bonus in a relationship.”

She adds that her favourite show of 2018 was at the Hazlitt in Maidstone, Kent, the town she grew up in, and getting to perform at a venue she had often frequented.

Meanwhile Zoe Lyons, whose regular appearances at Komedia for the likes of Bent Double aren’t included on the list, has visited an impressive 80 venues across the country this year.

Zoe said: “Sometimes I look back at my diary and realise how many places I have been this year, how much travelling around the country I have had to do and I get a bit tired just thinking about it.

“I am lucky though, it is of course great to be busy.

“It’s kind of nice to know that the reason I am so tired now is that I was super busy.”

Both comedians admit that they find it difficult, if not close on impossible to remember all the places they visit across the year.

“I honestly can’t remember where I have been from one week to the next,” Zoe admitted.

“I haven’t counted up the number of shows I have performed at this year.

“If it wasn’t for the Ents24 rating I would be none the wiser.”

“I don’t count the number of shows I do,” Angela added.

“I would either stress that I was doing too many, or not enough.

“If I over think it I can get a bit anxious, especially when I see I’ve got Newcastle, Aberystwyth and Plymouth on three consecutive days.

“I really need to start having a map of the UK in front of me when I’m booking in shows.”

Sussex comedians are well accustomed to making the Ents24 hardest working comedians list.

In 2016 Romesh Ranganathan topped the list.