About the BBC New Comedy Award

The BBC Radio New Comedy Award is a nationwide talent search to find the best in new stand-up comedy talent.

The BBC New Comedy Award ran on BBC One from 1995 - 2003, with the final held in Edinburgh every year. In 2003 - 2005 it ran as a radio event on BBC Radio 4 Extra (formerly BBC Radio 7) and was replaced in 2005 with Show Me The Funny, which placed emphasis on the search for sketch writers. In 2011, BBC Radio 2 and BBC Radio Comedy revived the award, putting the spotlight back on seeking out the best new stand-up comedy talent with a new format and, for the first time, including audience interactivity.

Previous finalists include Alan Carr, Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Julian Barratt, Marcus Brigstocke, Russell Howard, Rhod Gilbert, David O’Doherty, and Shappi Khorsandi. The 2011 final was won by Angela Barnes who performed alongside Chris Turner, Mark Restuccia, Tez Ilyas, Pat Cahill and Joe Lycett. In 2012, another hotly contested final saw Lucy Beaumont voted winner in a line-up that featured Matt Rees, Sunil Patel, Tommy Rowson, Pete Otway and Matt Winning.