As city's comedy festival gets under way

Eden Voss won the Birmingham Comedy Festival’s Breaking Talent Award 2026.

Voss, who is based in Solihull,  said of his victory at the Glee Club last night: ‘It’s a huge honour and a shock … just to be nominated was unbelievable. It’s been incredible, really incredible winning.’

Voss only started doing stand-up 14 months ago, though he says his love of comedy goes back to childhood.

‘I’ve always loved comedy,’ he said. ‘As a kid of eight, I had a portable television in my bedroom, a black-and-white TV, and I used to watch comedy until 2am.

’I’m mostly influenced by female comedians, like French and Saunders, Victoria Wood, Ruby Wax, but also old comedians like Ronnie Corbett – the storytelling aspect, him sitting in that chair in The Two Ronnies.’

Voss made his unplanned live debut at a Queer As Joke show in July 2025, after completing a couple of stand-up courses. 

On his future plans, he said: ‘I love so many different aspects of comedy: I love writing; I love performing; I love travelling to gigs. There’s nothing I’m not open to. I’d love to support someone well-known and learn from that experience.

’And maybe do a podcast – isn’t that a legal requirement?’

Voss is already working on his own solo show, Autastic!, with a preview gig at Cherry Reds in Birmingham on Tuesday as part of the comedy festival.

’It’s mostly about my life, learning about myself and turning it into comedy,’ he said. He opened his Breaking Talent set with the line: ’I’m gay, autistic and I’m going to talk about it…’

Also on the bill last night were Coventry’s Andy Bucks, who talked about his love of Gmail and his sexual awakening, and ended with a keytar sing-along; Leamington Spa’s Rik Goodman, who outlined his own live comedy night, Good Times With Rik Goodman; Naph, from Birmingham, who talked about British television, family and his career; and Nina Semple, also from Birmingham, who spoke about her love of cranes.

Past winners of the Breaking Talent Award i include Josh Pugh,  Celya AB,  and the late Andrew McBurney, who created Gary Powndland And Friends.

Shortlisted acts are chosen by a panel of comedy professionals, based on their performances over the previous 12 months. 

Comic Darren Harriott, who was one of the judges, said: ‘Eden showed all of the skills – he could be a professional comedian.’

Birmingham Comedy Festival runs until October 11.

Published: 3 Oct 2026