Handed out by the Glasgow Comedy Festival

Glasgow International Comedy Festival has opened applications for its Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award.

Now in its fourth year, the award is supported by the Big Yin and his family. 

Rosco McClelland received a video message from the comedy legend when he became the third winner this year, following  Susie McCabe and Janey Godley.

Any individual, group, venue staff or collective taking part in festival can nominate someone – or submit their own application – before submissions close at 5pm  on  January 14.

An independent panel of judges from across the creative industries including comedians, actors and  journalists choose a shortlist from all applications, based on who most personifies the spirit of Glasgow.  The judges make a recommendation to Sir Billy, who will ultimately decide the winner of the award in his name. 

Speaking about the award’s inception in 2023, Sir Billy said: ‘Glasgow defies description. Many great men and women have tried to describe its spirit and failed miserably. What do you say about a town that dances, sings, plays and jokes differently from everybody else? The winner of this Award will have to be a nutter like me…’​

Registered participants of the 2026 festival can apply online at www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com. 

Published: 10 Nov 2025