Final

The BBC’s biggest comedy talent search has reached its final night. Almost 1,000 comedians applied to this year’s New Comedy Awards. More than 100 went head-to-head at showcases across the country, and just 30 made it through to the knockout heats. Now only six remain.

The finalists take to the stage one last time, each hoping to win over the judges and be crowned BBC New Comedian 2026.

The grand final is filmed in front of a full house at Birmingham’s iconic Town Hall. Presenting the night is award-winning writer, comedian and Hollywood actor Guz Khan, who made the journey from stand-up to the screen and knows exactly what the night means to the acts waiting in the wings.

Leading the judging panel is the multitalented and multi-award-winning comedian, actor and writer Amy Gledhill. Joining her are Kiell Smith-Bynoe, star of Ghosts and Taskmaster, and Dan Tiernan, a former BBC New Comedy Awards winner. Together, they weigh up the writing, the delivery and the originality of every act before choosing their winner.

Rounding off the night is a very special performance from last year’s winner, Eli Hart, who returns to hand over the award to this year’s champion.

The winner will receive a paid commission to write and perform their own 30-minute audio pilot under the mentorship of a BBC comedy commissioner, plus a trophy and £1,000 in cash. For a comic at the start of their career, it is a rare opportunity that could open plenty of doors.

Now in their 30th year, the New Comedy Awards have helped launch the careers of comedy greats who regularly feature on our stages and screens, including Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Russell Howard, Romesh Ranganathan, Alan Carr, Sarah Millican, Josie Long and Joe Lycett.

The finalists are hoping to follow in their footsteps.

Six comics. One stage. One title. Who will be crowned BBC New Comedian 2026?