The UK’s leading comedy newcomer competition, So You Think You’re Funny? (SYTYF?) has revealed this year’s 10 finalists, plus confirmed comedian and TV star Sue Perkins will be 2024’s celebrity guest judge. Following months of regional showcases and competitive heats, a panel of judges decided this year’s finalists as Gilded Balloon once again get set to crown comedy’s next rising star. 

Plus, Gilded Balloon has announced SYTYF received an impressive 597 applications in 2024, an over 20% increase from 2023 meaning this year’s competition was tougher than ever. 

The judges have confirmed 10 finalists for the second year in a row, and for only the third time in the competition’s history, with this year’s finalists set to perform in the So You Think You’re Funny? Grand Final hosted by Maisie Adam on 22nd August at Patter House. Don’t miss out on your chance to see comedy’s next big stars - tickets via tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk

TV star and one of Britain’s best loved comedians Sue Perkins will be this year’s guest judge, joining a panel including Katy and Karen Koren, journalists Arusa Qureshi and Bruce Dessau, Melbourne International Comedy Festival Director Susan Provan, SYTYF producer Julia Chamberlain and Sue Perkins. Sue and her fellow judges will watch all 10 finalists perform a 7 minute spot on the night, before conferring and choosing the ultimate winner. The final will be hosted by 2017 SYTYF winner Maisie Adam, marking her only live appearance at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. 

2024’s So You Think You’re Funny? Finalists (in alphabetical order) are: 

Alana Jackson

Alex Gogarty

Ayo Adenekan

Bert Broadbent

Ciara O’Connor

Fab Goualin

Kate Sharp

Laurie Brewster

Paras Patel

Sophia Wren

Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon and So You Think You’re Funny? said, “We’re thrilled to reveal this year’s SYTYF? finalists, with this year’s judging panel once again deciding to submit 10 finalists, instead of 9, for only the third time in the competition’s history. It’s extremely positive news for the UK’s comedy industry that our judges felt so strongly about the strength of these 10 comedy newcomers, and we hope that all 10 are set for a very bright future. 

“We’re also ecstatic to welcome comedy legend Sue Perkins as this year’s celebrity guest judge, as well as our good friend and former SYTYF? winner Maisie Adam to host the final. 

It’s shaping up to be an incredible night of comedy and as always, it’s been extremely tough to whittle an astonishing 597 applicants down to this final 10,  from regional showcases in London, Manchester, Glasgow and more, as well as heats throughout this year’s Fringe. We wish all of the finalists the very best of luck and can’t wait to see who claims this year’s crown!” 

Judges who chose this year’s finalists included: comedians Mark Watson and Jay Lafferty, journalists Arusa Qureshi and Kate Copstick, plus Katy and Karen Koren and more. 

Since it began in 1988, So You Think You’re Funny? has kick-started the careers of dozens of the country’s top comics including Dylan Moran, Peter Kay, Maisie Adam, Lee Mack, Tommy Tiernan and many more so this year’s Grand Final is the chance to see some of comedy’s next big stars at the beginning of their career. 

Dedicated to providing a stage for emerging talent, the competition is only open to new acts who have performed less than 15 spots and are currently unsigned. This year’s finalists performed at regional showcases across the UK, before performing in front of a panel of judges and audiences at Competition Heats throughout August at Gilded Balloon. The finalists now have one last chance to impress the judges with a 7 minute slot at the Grand Final next week. 

On its 37th anniversary, the finale is a hugely popular night with two hours of top comedy and the chance to see the brightest rising stars before they make it big! Some of the UK’s most established and successful comedians and TV performers competed in So You Think You’re Funny? across the years - from Jason Byrne to Alan Carr, Rhod Gilbert to Russell Howard. 

So You Think You’re Funny? is the longest running and most established comedy competition of its kind, solely funded by Gilded Balloon without external sponsors. Each year, the winner of the competition will receive…

• A cash prize.

• A fully paid for solo show (or mixed bill) run as part of the Gilded Balloon’s Fringe programme.

• A place on Soho Theatre's coveted Comedy Plus Lab 10-week course supporting emerging comedian's to develop skills featuring industry advice and masterclasses in the year following the final.

• Up to 4 mentorship meetings (virtual or in person) with Channel 4's Comedy Commissioning team in the year following the final.

• A paid performance slot in the Comedy Arena and weekend pass at Latitude Festival in the year following the competition thanks to Festival Republic.

• Other paid performance slots at the UK's best comedy clubs including the Glee Club, the Boat Show and more. 

• Complimentary headshot photoshoot by professional photographer to the stars, Steve Ullathorne.

• Complimentary filmed copy and professional photographs of their spot from the Final to use in their show-reel.

• Mentorship and support from Karen and Katy Koren, Artistic Directors at Gilded Balloon and Julia Chamberlain, the So You Think You’re Funny? producer for over 20 years.

There are also prizes for the runners-up including;

• A cash prize for the first and second runner up.

• Potential to be invited to take part in a fully paid for mixed bill show as part of Gilded Balloon’s Fringe programme.

• Mentorship and support from Karen and Katy Koren and Julia Chamberlain, the So You Think You’re Funny? producer.