Presented on the last day of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival

Amanda Dwyer has won this year’s Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award.

She took her crown at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s closing gala at the King’s Theatre yesterday.

In a personalised video message shown at the show, sent from his home in Florida, Sir Billy Connolly said: 'Hello everybody, I hope you’re enjoying the Gala. Comedy’s come a long way when they give you Galas. Galas were for Bearsden people!

‘I’d like to congratulate the winner, Amanda Dwyer, who is superb and knows more about bumholes than I do. Have a ball - enjoy yourself!’

The comment was in reference to one of Dwyer’s jokes. 

She said on stage: ‘I don’t believe this. I just, in a million years never thought I was gonna win this. I don’t have any words; I can’t believe it – I’m gonna pass out. I’m really in shock. 

‘Thank you so much to the comedy festival – this is genuinely a pure honour. I’m really glad I painted my nails today.

Dwyer said: 'It means the world to me. My entire family are Billy Connolly fans – the first thing I’m going to do is phone my Dad. I’m definitely going to be the favourite child.’

This year’s shortlist comprised five female comedians and one venue owner and promoter with Kate Hammer, Kim Blythe, Susan Riddell, Zara Gladman and Chris Conway of Glasgow venue Blackfriars also on the list.

Festival director Krista MacDonald said: ‘Amanda Dwyer is a comic who personifies the city she comes from in every way. Something Glaswegians are renowned for is finding humour even in dark times, and that is something Amanda does so deftly and thoughtfully in her comedy as she tackles the raw, and often traumatic, realities of being a woman. 

‘Amanda’s deadpan delivery and wicked sense of humour have been making waves in the Scottish comedy scene for the past five  years, and her commitment to making comedy more welcoming for new female voices is just another way in which Amanda embodies the Spirit of Glasgow. 

‘Sir Billy Connolly continues to inspire new comics around the world, but especially in his hometown of Glasgow where his fearless creativity and generous spirit can be found around every corner.’

The other former winners were Janey Godley, Rosco McClelland and Susie McCabe, who’s pictured with Dwyer and the award, a glass trophy engraved with Sir Billy’s self-portrait.

Published: 30 Mar 2026