The semi-finals for this year’s So You Think You’re Funny! competition will take place online and will be streamed in partnership with NextUp Comedy.

Each of the six semi-finals will be hosted by one of the competition’s amazing alumni and will be judged by a panel of industry experts. The winner from each of the six semi-finals will go through to the Grand Final which will be hosted by Mark Watson in front of a live audience at the competition’s traditional home in The Debating Hall at Gilded Balloon’s Teviot in Edinburgh. It will also be possible to watch the final online.

Karen and Katy Koren, Artistic Directors at Gilded Balloon said: "We’ve been blown away by the standard of performers that have taken part in this year’s online heats. It’s the most exciting part of our job to see new comedy talent coming through the competition despite the challenges faced by the industry. We are thrilled to have the next round of the competition streamed in partnership with NextUp Comedy and we look forward to presenting the semi-finals of the competition online and the grand final live in Edinburgh this year.” 

So You Think You’re Funny? Is the UK’s longest running comedy newcomer competition (this will be its 33rd year!) and this year it is taking place online for the first time in its history. 

Since its inception in 1988, it has been one of the most influential competitions of its kind for spring-boarding new talent into comedy careers. Many of the finalists have gone on to become household names not only in the UK but around the world. Previous finalists include Peter Kay, Dylan Moran, Lee Mack, Tommy Tiernan, Jason Manford, Lucy Porter, Reginald D Hunter, Josie Long, Russell Howard, Francesca Martinez, John Bishop, Alan Carr, Nina Conti, Rhod Gilbert, Sarah Millican, Kevin Bridges, Romesh Ranganathan, Hannah Gadsby, Jack Whitehall, Rob Beckett and Aisling Bea.

Information and tickets: www.gildedballoon.co.uk