The fourth heat of the BBC New Comedy Awards 2022 comes from the Palace Theatre and Grand Hall, Kilmarnock, where Ania Magliano (pictured), Marjolein Robertson, Su Mi, Krystal Evans and sketch group Weegie Hink Ae That take to the stage in front of a packed house of over 200 comedy-lovers.
It's a pretty strong heat. Magliano made a splash at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer and has already had a run at the Soho Theatre. Marjolein Robertson from the Shetlend Islands recently came second in the Funny Women Awards.
Glaswegian stand-up comedian Christopher MacArthur-Boyd is host for the evening, joined by judges Glasgow-based Josie Long, Susan Riddell and former journalist Fern Brady. Brady can also currently be seen making a splash in Taskmaster.
It's great to see this competition back on the television screens with heats as well as the final being broadcast. it has had something of and on/off history. Sometimes it has been televised, sometimes it has been on the radio, sometimes it hasn't been on at all.
It was axed in 2006, being replaced by a nationwide talent hunt that placed its emphasis on sketch writing and filmed performance. However, in March 2011 the BBC Radio New Comedy Award was relaunched in conjunction with BBC Radio 2, and ran as a joint project between Radio 2 and BBC Radio 4 Extra.
Over the years it has unearthed some remarkable talent, giving breaks to stars. Amongst the winners of the award are: Julian Barratt (the very first winner in 1995), Marcus Brigstocke (1996), Paul Foot (1997), Josie Long (1999), Alan Carr (2001), Nina Conti (2002), Rhod Gilbert (2003), Angela Barnes (2011) and Lost Voice Guy (2014).
Other notable finalists include Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Russell Howard, Daniel Kitson, Justin Lee Collins, David O'Doherty, Shappi Khorsandi, Joe Lycett and Sarah Millican.
The winner of the heat will appear in the final in Cardiff, where one of them will be crowned the BBC New Comedian of 2022.
BBC New Comedy Awards – Heat 4, Kilmarnock, Tuesday, October 18, BBC Three and on iPlayer
