For the culmination of the city's comedy festival

The judging panel has been announced for this year’s Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award, with broadcaster Edith Bowman and Still Game co-creator Greg Hemphill among the names.

The panel also includes actor Gary Lamont, presenter Michelle McManus, comedian Sanjeev Kohli and comedy producer Rab Christie, alongside last year’s winner Rosco McClelland. 

They will review applications before making recommendations to Connolly himself, who will choose the final winner.

The award winner will be announced at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s gala on March 29, where Karen Dunbar, Connor Burns, Amanda Dwyer, Fred MacAulay and Stuart Mitchell will perform at the King’s Theatre.

Bowman said: ‘What a privilege to be part of the judging panel for an award that carries Sir Billy Connolly’s name. Comedy is such a powerful part of who we are as Scots.’

Lamont added: ‘The Big Yin embodies the very heart of Scottish humour—helping generations of us to see ourselves clearly, and laugh at ourselves loudly.’

The festival, which runs from March 11 to 29, features more than 560 shows across Glasgow venues. International performers include Rosie O’Donnell and Ruby Wax, while UK acts include Alan Davies, Sue Perkins and Tom Davis. 

Scottish comedian Daniel Sloss brings his new show Bitter to the SEC Armadillo, while Karen Dunbar, Jack Docherty, Susie McCabe and Christopher MacArthur-Boyd also have solo shows scheduled.

To mark one month until the festival opens, organisers have announced a 24-hour two-for-one ticket offer for today, covering more than 200 shows including performances by Rosie O’Donnell, Sue Perkins, Alan Davies and Jack Docherty.

Festival director Krista MacDonald said the Billy Connolly award celebrated those who ‘carry the same fearless creativity and generous spirit that Sir Billy has shared with the world’.

Published: 10 Feb 2026