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The BBC New Comedy Awards are to return for 2022, and will again be screened on TV.

This year features  two categories – the new comedian award and digital comedy award.

However, the category for best comic under 18, which was only introduced last year, has been dropped.

The winner of the new comedian award will receive £1,000 plus a paid commission to write and perform in a 30 minute audio pilot under the mentorship of a BBC comedy commissioner.

While the digital winner will receive a paid commission for a BBC comedy short.

As with last year’s event, comedians who are selected from the entry process will compete in six regional heats that will be televised on BBC Three in autumn, with the final screened on BBC One.

Judge Fern Brady will be joined in each of the locations by a different host and panel of local judges including Rosie Jones, Suzi Ruffell, Babatunde Aleshe and Catherine Bohart.

Anna Thomas, who won last year’s competition, said: ‘Winning the BBC New Comedian of the Year last year has already changed my life – I’ve been signed to a cracking agent, I’ve been lucky enough to sell out at the Machynlleth Comedy Festival, appeared on radio and TV panel and stand-up shows, and have supported Russell Howard and Joe Lycett.

‘I’ve just performed at the BBC Comedy Festival in Newcastle and I’m proper looking forward to performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer I’m telling you now, if you’re umming and ahhing about applying to this year’s awards, just blooming go for it.’

The competition started in 1995 and comedians who have taken part have included Peter Kay, Joe Lycett, Lee Mack, Alan Carr, Russell Howard, Tom Allen and Sarah Millican.

Jon Petrie, the BBC’s director of comedy, said: ‘We are very proud of the role that the BBC New Comedy Awards plays in unearthing the British comedy stars of tomorrow.’

Last year, actor and improviser Holly Hall won the digital award with Bobby Duquenoy Taylor was named the young comedian of the year.

Applications were due to open at 10am here and close on Sunday July 3 at midnight.  Terms and conditions are here.

Published: 23 May 2022