With his alter-ego, The Pub Landlord, Murray will lead proceedings at this year’s celebration of the merchant industry’s achievements.

Al Murray, British comedian, writer, broadcaster and historian, best known for his long-running comic alter ego, The Pub Landlord, has been unveiled as the host of this year's edition of the Builders' Merchants Awards, due to take place in London on Friday 27 November.

One of the most recognisable and successful comedians in the UK, Murray has filled arenas and the largest theatres around the world as The Pub Landlord, and won numerous awards and accolades, including the Edinburgh Comedy Award (formally Perrier Award, after a record four successive nominations) and secured Olivier Award nominations for both of his sell-out West End runs. 

He has hosted countless TV series, including the acclaimed entertainment chat show Al Murray's Happy Hour (ITV) and the ground-breaking sitcom Time Gentlemen Please (Sky).  Murray has made multiple appearances on The Royal Variety Performance (ITV) and hosted Live at the Apollo (BBC) and Live at the Palladium (ITV). In 2026, The Pub Landlord is back on the road touring the UK & Ireland with his brand-new show All You Need Is Guv.

Swapping his comedy stage persona for himself, Murray authored and presented the Broadcast Award-winning five-part series Al Murray: Why Does Everyone Hate the English?, Al Murray: Why Does Everyone Hate the British Empire? and Al Murray: Why Do the Brits Win Every War? (all Sky). 

Combining his passion for film and history Murray filmed two specials for BBC Four: Al Murray's Great British War Movies and Al Murray's Great British Spy Movies. Murray also co-hosts the hugely popular WW2 history podcast, We Have Ways of Making You Talk with fellow bestselling military historian James Holland.

As a writer, Murray has also enjoyed great success with his books including Book of British Common Sense, Think Yourself British, Great British Pub Quiz Book, Watching War Films with My Dad, Command, and current bestsellers Arnhem: Black Tuesday and Victory 45: The End of the War in Eight Surrenders (co-written with Holland). Murray also co-wrote the critically acclaimed West End show, Idiots Assemble: Spitting Image the Musical.

The Builders' Merchants Awards at the Park Plaza near Westminster Bridge in London will once again unite more than 700 members of the industry in a glittering event offering networking, celebration and fun. And because 2026 sees the event celebrate its 25th anniversary there will be an after party as well as the afternoon awards ceremony.

The industry's longest running awards ceremony offers the perfect opportunity to acknowledge the amazing people, teams, projects and innovations the sector has to offer.

A judging panel made up of 17 prominent figures will choose the finalists among all the nominees, and those who will become the winners of the 26 awards up for grabs this year.

Book your table at www.merchants-awards.co.uk