The biggest prize in comedy

The finalists have been announced for the most valuable prize in British comedy.

The British Comedian of the Year competition has a £10,001 prize – £1 more than the main Edinburgh Comedy Award.

That sort of money attracted more than 500 entrants, and all the finalists are circuit stalwarts, rather than newcomers.

They are: Andy Askins, Ninia Benjamin, Scott Bennett, Stephen Grant, Mike Gunn, Jeff Innocent, Lindsey Santoro, JoJo Sutherland and George Zach.

The final takes place at the Comedy Store in London on November 24, compered by  Cally Beaton. Each act performs for ten minutes.

The competition is organised by The Stand-Up Club – who call it ‘the FA Cup of comedy’. The company runs comedy nights across London, including at the Comedy Pub just a few doors down from the Store.

A total of 153 acts were selected for the heats,  held at clubs across England and Wales – though not Scotland – including  London, Manchester, Skegness, Leicester, Birmingham and Leeds.

Ticket for the final are available here.

Published: 14 Nov 2021