Including Comedian Of The Year and pun contest

The Leicester Comedy Festival has revealed the finalists for its flagship competitions for 2026.

The most established, the Leicester Comedian of the Year, returns for its 32nd year, with previous winners including   Josh Widdicombe, Johnny Vegas, Jason Manford, Seann Walsh, and Rhod Gilbert.

Next year’s finalists are:

Chloe Reynolds
Ciara O’Connor
Jack Kelly
Oliver Moore
Oro Rose
Sapphire McIntosh
Sydney May
Valeria Vulpe

The final will be at  The Y Theatre on February 21, hosted by Emmanuel Sonubi and  headlined by 2025 winner Louise Atkinson, pictured.

Meanwhile, the UK Pun Championships return for its 12^th year at De Montfort Hall on February 9, again hosted by Jason Byrne.

The finalists are:

Adam Pickard
Katie Pritchard
Louie Falls
Mary Cross
Nayim Ali
Paggy Gacheva
Richard Stott
Richard Woolford

Finally, Circuit Breakers, an initiative that supports emerging talent, will next year feature Ben Treloar, Ibs Sesay, Kathy Rivett, Louis Beer, Mia Lewis, and Phoebe Taylor.

They will be showcased at two mixed bill shows to The Big Difference on February 13 and 14, hosted by Sian Davies. 

Charlotte Laidet, programme director at Big Difference Company, the charity behind the festival, said: ‘he festival is proud to continue to give a voice to new talent and bring people together through laughter.’

The Leicester Comedy Festival runs from February 4 to 22. Details at: www.comedy-festival.co.uk  

Published: 9 Dec 2025