Alternative comedians heading to the Brighton Fringe

Comedian Luke Rollason has announced the winners of the fifth and final year of the memorial bursary – a prize he set up, while still very much alive, to support emerging comedy performers from underrepresented backgrounds at the Brighton Fringe.

The two winners are Zoe Cousin, who previously appeared in the BBC New Comedy Awards,  in the guise of Paul Sykes and Gabriel Featherstone.

Rollason said: ‘Paul Sykes is one of those wonderful character creations who is simultaneously totally recognisable and utterly strange. You can see why Zoe was nominated for the BBC New Comedy Award, and I'm sure that won't be the last we see of Paul on the telly.’

‘Gabe's entry was jaw-dropping. I watched his prog-rock finale about the Grim Reaper Paddington Bear on repeat again and again. Automatic win.'

Two runners-up – Alice Ella and Anand Sankar – will also receive support with their registration costs.

Winners receive registration fees, costume design support, a professional photoshoot and mentorship from comedy agent Daisy Francis.

All four will appear in an industry showcase at Komedia in Brighton on May 30, alongside six shortlisted acts.

Rollason, who won a Bafta for his BBC short film Quiet Life in 2025 and appears in both series of the Disney+ drama Extraordinary, said the award had directly supported 20 comedians over five years.

He added: ‘I’ve read and watched around 250 applications and I’ve truly seen things I can never forget or explain. 

‘Honestly, I reckon the comedy industry has been fixed now and doing any more would be overkill, but I promise I will find new ways to support new voices in alternative comedy."

• Zoe Cousin will perform at The Caxton on May 30 and 31. Tickets available here.
• Gabriel Featherstone will perform at The Actors on May 21 and 22. Tickets available here. 
• Alice Ella will perform at Komedia on May 5, 11 and 18. Tickets available here. 
• Anand Sankar will perform at The Caxton on the May 15. Tickets available here.

Published: 25 Mar 2026