Midlands city to host all the 2026 heats

Entries have opened for this year’s BBC New Comedy Awards.

However, rather than tour the country seeking acts, all this year’s heats will be held in Coventry.

The final will be in Birmingham, where the winner will receive £1,000, a trophy, and a paid commission to write and perform a 30-minute audio pilot with the support of a BBC comedy commissioner.

Amy Gledhill, who won best show at the 2024 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, will serve as head judge.  She said: ‘I can’t wait to lead the judging for this year’s BBC New Comedy Awards, it’s such a great initiative and [I’m] really looking forward to uncovering the best new comic talent the UK has to offer.’

The competition has been running since 1995 with past winners including Alan Carr, Tom Allen, Lucy Beaumont, Josie Long, Nina Conti and Rhod Gilbert. 

Last year's winner, Eli Hart, said: ‘Winning the New Comedy Awards has changed my life in both big and small ways. The smallest of ways being that there is now a physical piece of evidence in my living room that suggests I'm not entirely delusional.'

Jon Petrie, the BBC’s director of  comedy, added:  ‘For more than three decades, the BBC New Comedy Awards have helped launch some of the UK’s most recognisable comedy voices, and the search for the next breakout star is always a highlight of our year. 

‘Taking the competition to the West Midlands this year feels especially exciting – it’s a region bursting with talent, as last year’s winner Eli Hart proved.’

 To apply, visit bbc.co.uk/newcomedyawards. Closing date is July 5.

Published: 27 May 2026