Triumph at city's comedy festival

Sandwell comic Ryan S Lewis has won the Breaking Talent Award at this year’s Birmingham Comedy Festival.

The comic said the award was ‘a testament to all those late nights travelling [to gigs], trying out material. It’s a benchmark in my career. This is a stamp that tells me to keep going... so watch this space.’

Lewis said he first recognised the power of humour by watching Sesame Street as a child. 

‘When I was five years old I made a good friend laugh by quoting Elmo,’ he recalled,  ‘I wanted to be a clown. Then, at seven, I saw I Spy with Eddie Murphy [and decided] I needed to do that… then procrastinated for 20 years.’

He made his stand-up debut at The Holly Bush, in Cradley Heath, Birmingham, in 2022

The other contestants at Friday’s final at the Glee club were all drawn from the West Midlands:  Harry Jenkins from Selly Park; Bilston-based character comic Abbie Hale, who led the audience through a game of pass the parcel, sketch duo BAB, aka Amy Spinks and Lauren Soley, from Dudley; and Abbie Edwards from Solihull.

A spokesperson for the Birmingham Comedy Festival – which runs until Sunday – said: ‘Despite the considerable strengths of all the acts shortlisted for the award - probably one of the most diverse we’ve had in terms of style for a long time - Ryan shone, delivering an accomplished and confident set that kept the energy high. He never missed a beat.

‘We wish him the very best over the coming months, and can’t wait to see what he does next.’

Published: 7 Oct 2025