The Bath Comedy Festival 2026 New Act Competition attracted over 200 applications. 100 of which were long-listed in nine heats, the winners of which plus wild cards took part in the Grand Final performing 7-8 minutes each, judged by a panel of comedy industry heavyweights. And the results are:
First place: Christopher Donovan
Second place: Rich Bunn
Joint third place: Victoria Blunt & OllieYoung
The final took place on Sunday 21st April, for the third year running at the Old Theatre Royal, Bath. The heats were held at their new home, a proper and welcoming pub The Belvoir Castle.
Winner Christopher Donovan (pictured between Mark Maier and Nick Steel) was presented with a silver trophy, Bath Comedy New Act Of The Year Award, £250 and will also receive guaranteed paid gigs in the forthcoming year from Bath Comedy, The Jesters Comedy Club and The Fez Comedy Club.
The 12 finalists were Tom Hutchinson, Eliza Fraser, Christopher Donovan, Ollie Young, Benjamin Pugh, Holly Leggett, Eden Voss, Rich Bunn, Jo Somner, Eloise Dale, Joe Dehuai, Victoria Blunt and Craig McLeod.
The final was hosted by veteran comedian Mark Maier and the audience were treated to a performance from last year's winner Madeleine Brettingham while the judges deliberated.
Nick Steel, Bath Comedy Director, said: "The standard in the heats was so good that with wild cards we ended up with thirteen in the final! My fellow judges and I were gobsmacked by the confidence and ability of all finalists – I’m, sure we will be seeing a lot more of all of them in future"
He went on to thank the Old Theatre Royal hosts, sponsors The Bird, Bath hotel, the sold-out audience and the Festival team, including Kerrianne Gauld, Jennifer Ballantyne, Ralph Oswick and Nigel Fryatt.
This year's judges were comedy producers Mark Robson and Gary Monaghan, comedy trainer and promoter Jill Edwards, award-winning facilitator, coach and stand-up comedian Angie Belcher, and Festival Director Nick Steel.
Picture by Kerrianne Gauld
