How to get free tickets for the Bradford climax

The BBC has announced that the final of its 2025 New Comedy Awards will be taking place at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre on October 17.

Free audience tickets for the recording are now available from the venue website – although the BBC warns that more tickets are issued than there are seats to make sure the gig is full.

The show – which will air on BBC One – will be hosted by Guz Khan and feature a set from 2024 winner Paul Hilleard,  with head judge Fatiha El-Ghorri overseeing the big decision, as she will at all the heats taking place this month.

El-Ghorri said: ‘I love seeing new performers and watching them grow and progress on the comedy circuit so I can't wait to be involved on the telly. I look forward to seeing what brand-new talent is emerging.’

One act will go through from each heat at Bristol St George’s Hall, Birmingham Hockley Social Club, London Alexandra Palace Theatre, Newcastle Boiler Shop, Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom and Belfast Mandela Hall. More than 1,000 would-be comics applied to take part. 

This is the 30th anniversary of the award, although it took a hiatus between 2005 and 2011. It has previously been won by the likes of Tom Allen,  Rhod Gilbert, Nina Conti, Alan Carr, Lucy Beaumont and Dan Tiernan.

Bradford was chosen for the final as it is the UK’s 2025 City of Culture.

Published: 8 Sep 2025