The BBC New Comedy Award first took place in 1995, and it is considered to be one of the top UK comedy newcomer awards. It was axed in 2006, being replaced by a nationwide talent hunt that places its emphasis on sketch writing and filmed performance. However, in March 2011 th
BBC Radio New Comedy Award
was relaunched in conjunction with

BBC Radio 2 BBC Radio 2 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It is the most popular station in the United Kingdom with over 15 million weekly listeners. Since launching in 1967, the station broadcasts a wide range of content. ...

, and ran as a joint project between Radio 2 and

BBC Radio 4 Extra BBC Radio 4 Extra (formerly BBC Radio 7) is a British digital radio station from the BBC, broadcasting archived repeats of comedy, drama and documentary programmes nationally, 24 hours a day. It is the sister station of BBC Radio 4 and the p ...

. The current arrangement is for 4 Extra to broadcast the heats and semi-finals of the contest, whilst Radio 4 broadcasts the live final. The finals of this event have boasted many well known names that have continued to work in comedy to great acclaim - amongst the winners of the award are: Julian Barratt (1995), Marcus Brigstocke (1996),

Paul Foot Paul Foot may refer to: * Paul Foot (comedian) (born 1973), English comedian * Paul Foot (journalist) (1937–2004), British investigative journalist, political campaigner and author See also * Paul Foot Award The Paul Foot Award is an award give ...

(1997),

Josie Long Josie Isabel Long (born 17 April 1982) is a British comedian. She started performing as a stand-up at the age of 14 and won the BBC New Comedy Awards at 17. In 2006, Long won the If.comeddies Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Festival Frin ...

(1999), Alan Carr (2001), Nina Conti (2002), Rhod Gilbert (2003),

Angela Barnes Angela Barnes (born 9 November 1976) is an English stand-up comedian, mostly known for her appearances on ''Mock the Week''. Early life Barnes was born in Sidcup, London and brought up in Maidstone, Kent. She went to Invicta Grammar School ...

(2011) and

Lost Voice Guy Lee Ridley (born 31 December 1980), better known by his stage name the Lost Voice Guy, is an English stand-up comedian. Disabled since early life, and unable to speak, he rose to prominence in June 2018 after winning the 12th series of ''Brita ...

(2014). Other notable finalists include Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Russell Howard, Daniel Kitson, Justin Lee Collins, David O'Doherty, Shappi Khorsandi, Joe Lycett and Sarah Millican.

Winners & finalists

Notes

References

External links

* * * {{authority control Awards established in 1995 Awards established in 2011 New Comedy British comedy and humour awards Edinburgh Festival 1995 establishments in the United Kingdom 2011 establishments in the United Kingdom