Entries are now invited for the 2023 BBC New Comedy Awards which are returning this Autumn to BBC Three, BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
The search is underway to find the best new stand-up comedians in the UK. Entries open at 10am today (Tuesday 30th of May) for the BBC New Comedy Awards – details can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/newcomedyawards. Those selected from the entry process will then compete in six regional heats to be televised on BBC Three and iPlayer this autumn, followed by the Grand Final which will be screened on BBC One and iPlayer.
The prestigious New Comedy Awards, first established in 1995, have helped to launch and build the careers of some of Britain’s most loved comedians including Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Nina Conti, Russell Howard, Sindhu Vee, Alan Carr, Sarah Millican, Romesh Ranganathan, Josie Long and Joe Lycett to name just a few.
Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, says: “BBC Comedy is devoted to discovering and nurturing new comedy talent across the UK and the BBC New Comedy Awards is a tried and tested route for us to unearth the stand-up stars of the future. We can’t wait to see what new British Comedy talent we discover this year.”
Phil McIntyre Television says: “Phil McIntyre Television is delighted to once again be producing the New Comedy Awards for BBC. We remain dedicated to taking the televised regional heats to often under-represented parts of the country and showcasing exciting new talent emerging from all corners of the UK.”
Dan Tiernan, winner of the 2022 BBC New Comedian Award, says: “A year ago I applied for the BBC New Comedy Award and ended up winning the whole thing. It's completely changed my life, so many doors have opened up and I've already had some absolutely incredible opportunities of the back of it. If you're considering applying but are not sure, honestly do it. You never know it could be you this year!”
BBC New Stand-Up Comedian Award
The winner will receive a paid commission to write and perform in a 30-minute audio pilot under the mentorship of a BBC Comedy Commissioner, plus a trophy and £1,000 cash.
The awards will hold their heats in the following locations in September:
- North: Sunderland
- Scotland: Leith
- Northern Ireland: Ballymena
- Wales & West: Bangor
- Midland: Nottingham
- South: London suburbs
For 2023 the Head Judge will be Josh Pugh. Josh is a comedian and writer from the Midlands. He was nominated for Dave’s Edinburgh Comedy Award for his show ‘Sausage, Egg, Josh Pugh Chips & Beans’ in 2022. He was winner of English Comedian of the Year and the Birmingham Breaking Talent Award. He is known for his frequent viral hit videos such as ‘Inventing the four cheese pizza’ and ‘Piss up in a brewery’.
Josh Pugh says: “I am thrilled to be leading the judging panel for this year’s BBC New Comedy Awards. So many brilliant comedians have won this award over the years and I can’t wait to see the emerging talent that the UK has to offer in this year’s competition.”
Josh Pugh will be joined in each of these locations by a different host and panel of judges from these local areas which will be announced in due course.
There’s still plenty of time to apply for the BBC New Comedy Awards as the closing date is not until Sunday 9th of July at 23:59.
To enter visit www.bbc.co.uk/newcomedyawards, where terms and privacy notices can also be found.
The final and all six of the televised heats from the 2022 series are available to watch on BBC iPlayer
The BBC New Comedy Award heats (6x30) and The BBC Comedy Awards Final (1x45) are a Phil McIntyre Television production, commissioned for the BBC by Jon Petrie, Director of Comedy Commissioning. The producer for Phil McIntyre Television is Lindsay Jex and the Executive Producer is Lucy Ansbro. The Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Navi Lamba.
