Glaswegian Alana Jackson has been crowned the winner of the 37th edition of the iconic So You Think You’re Funny? - the UK’s most prestigious comedy newcomer competition. 

Ciara O’Connor and Ayo Adenekan came second and third place respectively, coming out top from an initial 597 applications and entertaining a sold out crowd at this year’s final at Patter House, hosted by former SYTYF? winner Maisie Adam. 

Following hilarious heats across the UK, Glaswegian comic Alana Jackson claimed the crown for this year’s competition after a judging panel including special guest judge Sue Perkins (Comedian and TV Star) plus Susan Provan (Director of Melbourne International Comedy Festival), Bruce Dessau (Editor of Beyond the Joke), Arusa Qureshi (Editor of Fest Mag), Julia Chamberlain (So You Think You’re Funny? Producer) as well as Karen and Katy Koren (Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon) watched 6 minute sets from all 10 finalists, before convening to choose the winner. 

The SYTYF? finalists entertained a sold out crowd at Gilded Balloon’s Patter House, expertly compered by 2017 winner Maisie Adam, marking her only live appearance at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Since it began in 1988, previous winners of SYTYF? have included Aisling Bea, Peter Kay, Tommy Tiernan, Lee Mack and more, with the competition renowned for kickstarting the careers of dozens of the UK’s top comics and providing essential support to comedy newcomers. 

Karen & Katy Koren and the So You Think You’re Funny? team would like to offer a huge congratulations to 2024’s finalists (in alphabetical order) : 

Alana Jackson - WINNER 

Alex Gogarty

Ayo Adenekan - 2ND RUNNER UP

Bert Broadbent

Ciara O’Connor - 1ST RUNNER UP 

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, “Huge congratulations to Alana Jackson - this year’s very deserving winner of So You Think You’re Funny?

“2024’s competition was one of our biggest and most competitive ever, with an outstanding 597 applicants this year so it’s an incredible feat for these 10 finalists to have made it this far and performed in front of tonight’s sold out crowd. 

“So You Think You’re Funny? is the UK’s longest running competition of its kind and year on year it’s wonderful to see alumni return to Gilded Balloon for their debut shows including Joshua Bethania, Kathleen Hughes, Nate Kitch and more this year. 

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to every comic who entered the competition this year - it was such a talented crop of comedians and we’re sure this year’s finalists will go on to do big things!” 

Celebrity guest judge Sue Perkins said, “This was a very tough decision. I was a small part of the judging process and there were so many talented people for us to choose from. Well done to everyone who put themselves out there tonight. It’s terrifying and they were brilliant!”

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, Rhod Gilbert, Tommy Tiernan and many more. It is the longest running and most established comedy competition of its kind, solely funded by Gilded Balloon without external sponsors. This year’s winner 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.

For more information on So You Think You’re Funny? visit www.soyouthinkyourefunny.co.uk 

Picture by Steve Ullathorne