Following in some illustrious footsteps

Eli Hart has been crowned winner of this year’s BBC New Comedy Awards.

The comic took the prize at the final, which was held  at Bradford’s Alhambra Theatre last month, and which aired on BBC One tonight . 

He receives a paid commission to write and perform his own 30-minute audio pilot under the mentorship of a BBC comedy commissioner, a trophy and £1,000 cash.

On being announced winner, he said: ‘I’m very grateful. I love getting jokes. Thank you’.

He later added: ‘I honestly never expected to win! Being named BBC New Comedian means a lot; I’ll get great opportunities and to work with wonderful people that can help me keep doing this dumb thing I do. 

‘It also means a lot because it's nice whenever anyone says the thing you do is good, and — in this case — deserving of an award. It’s very surreal that there’s a list where my name is right there with some absolute heavyweights in British comedy.’

It is the 30th year of the competition, which has previously seen the likes of Alan Carr, Tom Allen, Lucy Beaumont, Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Russell Howard, Sarah Millican and Joe Lycett come through the final.

Midlands-based Hart saw off competition from heat winners Ayo Adeneken, Jess Carrivick, Shugufta Choudhry and Evaldas Karosas and Pravanya Pillay to take the crown.

He was previously a finalist in the Komedia New Comedy Award and the Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year

Judges at the final – which was hosted by Amy Gledhill – were Fatiha El-Ghorri,  Harriet Kemsley and Dreaming Whilst Black’s  Adjani Salmon.

Head judge El-Ghorri said: ‘Choosing was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make. Eli absolutely has funny bones and I can’t wait to see his career develop.’

It was also announced at the final that the BBC New Comedy Awards would be returing for 2026.

All finals and heats are available  on BBC iPlayer.

Published: 19 Nov 2025