The BBC New Comedy Awards celebrates its 30th anniversary this year with a magnificent Grand Final at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre, set to air on BBC One and iPlayer on 19 November.
The night is hosted by Edinburgh Comedy Award 2024 winner Amy Gledhill while Head Judge Fatiha El-Ghorri (pictured) leads the charge to find 2025’s funniest new breakout star alongside judges Harriet Kemsley (Last One Laughing UK, Live At The Apollo) and Adjani Salmon (Dreaming Whilst Black).
Earlier this year nearly 1000 applicants were whittled down to a final 30 to take part in six Heats. Throughout September, the Heats were recorded at Bristol St George’s Hall, Birmingham Hockley Social Club, London Alexandra Palace Theatre, Newcastle Boiler Shop, Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom and Belfast Mandela Hall, currently broadcasting weekly on Wednesday nights on BBC Three and iPlayer. Winners from the upcoming Glasgow and Belfast Heats will be joining the finalists so far; Jess Carrivick, Eli Hart, Evaldas Karosas and Shugufta Choudhry in the spectacular Grand Final.
Filmed in Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture at the iconic Alhambra Theatre, the final airs on BBC One on 19 November at 10.40pm and features a special performance by 2024’s New Comedy Awards winner Paul Hilleard.
Fatiha El-Ghorri, Head Judge, says: “It’s a thrill to be Head Judge in the thirtieth year of the BBC New Comedy Awards but it’s also a lot of pressure. I care about every act. I keep reminding them that no matter what happens on the night, this isn’t the beginning or the end, it is just a part of their comedy journey. But there can only be one winner. You’ll have to tune into the Final to see me face one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make.”
Since launching in 1995, the BBC New Comedy Awards has spent 30 years helping to kick-start the careers of many of the UK’s best-loved comedians. Previous entrants include Alan Carr, Tom Allen, Lucy Beaumont, Josie Long, Nina Conti, Rhod Gilbert, Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Jason Manford, Russell Howard, Sarah Millican and Joe Lycett to name a few.
2025’s winner will receive a paid commission to write and perform their own 30-minute audio pilot under the mentorship of a BBC Comedy Commissioner, a trophy and £1,000 cash.
Phil McIntyre Television is delighted to be producing the New Comedy Awards for the BBC once again. They remain dedicated to taking the televised regional heats to often underrepresented parts of the country and showcasing exciting new talent emerging from all corners of the UK.
The finals and televised heats from the last four series are available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
