Adam Ernest Pickard triumphs in Brighton

Adam Ernest Pickard is the first finalists to be chosen in this year’s Chortle Student Comedy Award. 

Aged 22, he is originally from Godalming in Surrey and studying an MA in scriptwriting at the University of East Anglia.

He triumphed at the Brighton semi-final at Komedia last night, and now goes on to perform at the Comedy Area at the Latitude Festival as well as competing for the title at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Previous winners and finalists of the Chortle Student Comedy Award include Joe Lycett, Phil Wang, Ed Gamble, Richard Gadd, Chris Ramsey, Iain Stirling, Ania Magliano and Simon Bird

The second semi-final is at Top Secret Comedy Club in London from 7pm tonight (tickets)

Here are the other Brighton semi-finalists:

Alfie Nelson 

Amalia Fuadi

Amenie Groves

Andy Lloyd

Charlie Clarke

Lizzy Riley

Lola Adoloras

Noah O’Cinneide 

Shiv Kapila 

Usif Musa 

Will Lyall

Published: 2 Mar 2026