New Act Competition

Bath Comedy Festival has been designed to showcase the cream of cutting edge talent alongside household names, but also to support new acts wanting to make their mark.

Each year, the Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition involves a series of heats and a Grand Final judged by a panel of industry experts.

The winner receives the Bath Comedy Festival New Act Of The Year Award, £250 and guaranteed paid gigs during the following year.

Please note submissions are now closed for the 2026 competition.

If you are a New Act and are interested in taking part in the 2027 competition, the submission form will be available here from Autumn 2026.

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2026

Christopher Donovan wins this year's Newcomer Award

First place: Christopher Donovan
Second place: Rich Bunn
Joint third place: Victoria Blunt & Ollie Young

Christopher Donovan has been named the winner of this year's edition of Bath Comedy Festival's annual award, Bath Comedy New Act Of The Year 2026.

The competition saw over 200 applications, 100 of which were long-listed in nine heats, with the winners plus wildcards taking part in the Grand Final on Sunday 19th April at the Old Theatre Royal.

Donovan, who is a former National Film And Television School writing and producing comedy graduate and 2023 So You Think You're Funny? runner-up, collected the silver trophy, £250 prize money and receives guaranteed paid gigs in the forthcoming year from Bath Comedy, The Jesters Comedy Club and The Fez Comedy Club.

The other finalists taking part were Tom Hutchinson, Eliza Fraser, Benjamin Pugh, Holly Leggett, Eden Voss, Jo Somner, Eloise Dale, Joe Dehuai and Craig McLeod.

The final was hosted by veteran observational comedian Mark Maier and the audience were treated to a performance from last year's winner, Madeleine Brettingham, while the judges deliberated.

This year's judges were comedy producers Mark Robson and Gary Monaghan; comedy trainer and promoter Jill Edwards; coach and stand-up Angie Belcher; and festival director Nick Steel.

Nick Steel commented: "The standard in the heats was so good that with wild cards we ended up with thirteen in the final! My fellow judges and I were gobsmacked by the confidence and ability of all finalists - I'm, sure we will be seeing a lot more of all of them in future." He went on to thank the Old Theatre Royal hosts, sponsors The Bird Bath Hotel, the sold-out audience and the festival team, including Kerrianne Gauld, Jennifer Ballantyne, Ralph Oswick and Nigel Fryatt.

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2026. Image shows left to right: Nick Steel, Eden Voss, Madeleine Brettingham, Holly Leggett, Eloise Dale, Joe Dehuai, Jo Sumner, Benjamin Pugh, Eliza Fraser, Tom Hutchinson, Craig McLeod, Christopher Donovan, Rich Bunn, Victoria Blunt, Ollie Young. Credit: Kerrianne Gauld.

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2025

Madeleine Brettingham wins this year's Newcomer Award

First place: Madeleine Brettingham
Second place: Ro Dodgson
Third place: Emma Hughes

The competition featured over 100 long-listed contenders taking part in twelve heats during the Bath Comedy Festival, with the winner crowned at the Grand Final on Bank Holiday Monday 21st April at the city's Old Theatre Royal.

London-based winner Madeleine Brettingham was presented with an enormous trophy, £250 and will also receive guaranteed paid gigs in the future.

The judges picked Ro Dodgson as the runner-up, with Emma Hughes third. They received goodie bags courtesy of sponsors Rengen Lettings, including reusable water containers and bottles of wine.

The other finalists were Aleksandra Ivanova, Atharva Pharande, Carter Seipel, Charlie Lewis, Harrison Thomas, Ily Hamdia, Omari Douglas, Pat Smith and Robert Devereux.

The final was hosted by Alan Francis and the audience were treated to a performance from last year's winner Luke Richards while the judges - Alan Nixon, Mark Robson, Nick Steel and Angie Belcher - deliberated.

Nick Steel, Bath Comedy Festival Director, says: "All twelve aspiring comedians in this year's final were very strong, and indeed the standard in the heats was so good we will be inviting some of those who didn't make the final to come back in the future."

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2025. Image shows left to right: Alan Francis, Nick Steel, Omari Douglas, Ro Dodgson, Atharva Pharande, Robert Devereux, Madeleine Brettingham, Harrison Thomas, Emma Hughes, Charlie Lewis, Ily Hamdia, Patrick Smith and Carter Seipel. Credit: Adrian Feeney.

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2024

Luke Richards wins this year's Newcomer Award

First place: Luke Richards
Second place: Vinny Shiu
Third place: Aisha Amanduri

The competition featured 110 long-listed contenders taking part in eleven heats during the Bath Comedy Festival, with the winner crowned at the Grand Final on 21st April at the city's Old Theatre Royal.

Originally from Liverpool, now living in London, Richards started stand-up in 2020. He says: "I'm amazed to have won considering who else was in the final, everyone was so good. Thanks Bath Comedy Festival for a brilliant night and a great competition."

Aside from the Bath Comedy New Act Of The Year Award title, he took home £250, a unique trophy, and will also receive guaranteed paid gigs in the forthcoming year.

Back row L-R: Dan Coughtrey, Maria Fedulova, Joe Kanczes, Danny Scott, Monica Hsueh, Alex Milner. Front row L-R: Ollie Fox, Tony O'Hara, Caroline Madds, Vinny Shiu, Aisha Amanduri, Luke Richards, Nick Steel, Arthur Smith. Photos by Kerrianne Gauld.

Nick Steel, Bath Comedy Festival Director, said: "All twelve aspiring comedians in this year's final were very strong indeed, and the top three were outstanding. We have definitely found some more future stars tonight, and it's been a delight to hold the event in this stunning building." He went on to thank the Festival team, the venue staff and the sold out audience.

The final was hosted by festival patron and legendary "grumpy old man" Arthur Smith and last year's winner Mark Flynn also performed while the judges deliberated. This year's judges were producer Alan Nixon, producer Mark Robson, comedy trainer and promoter Jill Edwards, Somerset-based promoter Trish Caller and Festival Director Nick Steel. All the finalists were given a goody bag and praised for their high standard.

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2023

Mark Flynn wins this year's Newcomer Award

The 2023 New Act Competition featured 120 long-listed contenders in twelve heats, with 12 finalists reaching the Grand Final performing eight minutes each, judged by a panel of comedy industry heavyweights. Here are the results:

First place: Mark Flynn
Second place: Sam Picone
Third place: Chris Yates
Honourable mentions: Kev Mud and Emma Coyne

Mark Flynn has won Bath Comedy Festival's New Act of the Year 2023 competition.

The final took place on Friday 14th April at The Bath Forum Ballroom.

The stand-up, who is based in East London, said: "I'm honestly stunned to win against such talented opposition, people I look up to, it's been a fantastic event at a brilliant venue."

He was presented with the coveted Bath Comedy New Act Of The Year Award, a cheque for £250 and a huge trophy. He will also receive guaranteed paid gigs in the following year.

The other finalists who qualified for this year's Grand Final at Bath Forum were Tim Biglowe, Dane Buckley, José Fortuna, Sharon Jackson, Mara Mainka, Anita Surat and Josh Watmore.

Nick Steel, Bath Comedy Festival Director, said: "The standard in the twelve Bath New Act heats this year was very high, which made tonight's Grand Final very strongly contended and created a challenge for the judges, but the top three tonight were all outstanding. We have definitely witnessed some future stars in the making this evening." He went on to praise Bath Forum, which is a flagship venue for Bath as well as a valued partner of Bath Comedy, and thanked the venue staff and the sold out audience.

The final was hosted by Geoff Whiting and last year's winner, Adam Flood, also performed while the judges deliberated over their choice.

This year's judges were producer Alan Nixon, producer Mark Robson, comedian and promoter Angie Belcher, promoter Trish Caller and Festival Director Nick Steel.

All the finalists were given a goody bag containing items from Festival Partner Bath Ales.

Photos by Lloyd Ellington.

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2022

Adam Flood wins this year's Newcomer Award

The 2022 New Act Competition featured 100 long-listed contenders in ten heats, with 12 finalists reaching the Grand Final performing eight minutes each, judged by a panel comprising comedy industry heavyweights Graham Smith, Alan Nixon and Julia Chamberlain, guest judge and past winner Matt Richardson, plus Bath Comedy Festival Director Nick Steel. Here are the results:

First place: Adam Flood
Second place: Hubert Mayr
Joint third place: Freya Mallard & Will Owen

Adam Flood has won Bath Comedy Festival's New Act of the Year 2022 competition.

The final took place on Monday 18th April at Bath Comedy's Walcot House venue.

Flood's biography describes his stand-up style as "high energy and off kilter". In 2019 he was named a UTC One To Watch and took part in the BBC New Comedy Award and, in 2020, he won a Panel Prize at the Beat The Frog World Series competition.

At the Bath final, he impressed the judges with jokes about his haircut and his use of an auto-tune device to parody pop songs.

Flood wins a £250 cash prize, guaranteed paid gigs with Bath Comedy and a huge trophy filled with mini eggs.

The judges gave second place to Hubert Mayr, with Freya Mallard and Will Owen jointly coming third.

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Of The Year 2022. Image shows from L to R: Geoff Whiting, Freya Mallard, Will Owen, Hubert Mayr, Adam Flood, Matt Richardson and Nick Steel. Copyright: Kerrianne Gauld.

The other finalists taking part were Alex Kitson, Samantha Day, Tom Hutchinson, Aaron Jay, Jasmine Morton, Sug Wallace, Billy James and Alfie Packham.

Geoff Whiting, who hosted the final, comments: "Having been heavily involved in compering and running the heats for this competition, I was very impressed by the standard of comics that entered, especially the 12 finalists. Performing in front of a warm and supportive crowd, they rose to the occasion and there was some standout performances from several comics that I truly believe have a very big future in the business!"

Bath Comedy Festival director Nick Steel says: "The finalists this year were of a very high standard, and it was a hard job for the judges to whittle them down to just four winners! We have definitely witnessed some future stars in the making - far from being cancelled, it's great to see comedy being continually reinvented and evolving with the next generation of performers. Rock n roll is not dead, so to speak!"

He went on to praise the new venue at Walcot House, which is soon to become another home for Bath Comedy shows, and thanked the audience for being so supportive of live comedy, which he's always believed to be one of the most important and inclusive art forms, and "something we all need more than ever."

All the finalists were given a goody bag containing items from Festival Sponsor Bath Ales.

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Of The Year 2022. Image shows just some of the laughter in the audience this year, at the great comedy-friendly venue at Walcot House. Copyright: Kerrianne Gauld.

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2020-21

Bennet Kavanagh wins the Lovehoney Newcomer Award

The 2020 New Act Competition was disrupted by the pandemic lockdown, but eventually we managed to hold a competition in July 2021, with 100 long-listed contenders in ten heats, with 10 finalists reaching the Grand Final, judged by a panel comprising comedy industry heavyweights Graham Smith, Alan Nixon and Julia Chamberlain, plus Bath Comedy Festival Director Nick Steel. Here are the results:

First place: Bennet Kavanagh
Second place: Henry Whaley
Third place: Sharlin Jahan

Bennet Kavanagh receives the coveted Lovehoney Newcomer Award, a cheque from Bath Comedy Festival for £200, plus at least two paid appearances at Bath Comedy Club nights and/or next year's Festival.

L to R: Bennet Kavanagh, Henry Whaley, Shalin Jahan, Nick Steel. Photo by Lloyd Ellington.

All the finalists were given a goody bag containing items from Principal Sponsor Lovehoney and Festival Sponsor Bath Ales.

Photo by Lloyd Ellington.

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2019

David Eagle wins the Lovehoney Newcomer Award

This year's New Act Competition saw a total of 120 long-listed contenders battle it out over twelve heats and two semi-finals, with 10 finalists reaching the Grand Final, judged by a panel comprising comedy industry heavyweights including Graham Smith, Alan Nixon and Jill Edwards, guest judge and master comedian John Moloney, plus Bath Comedy Festival Director Nick Steel. Here are the results:

First place: David Eagle
Second place: Martin Durchov
Third place: Chelsea Birkby

David Eagle receives the coveted Lovehoney Newcomer Award, a cheque from Bath Comedy Festival for £250, plus at least two paid appearances at next year's Festival.

L to R: Chelsea Birkby, Martin Durchov, David Eagle, Geoff Whiting (Mirth Control), Nick Steel, Elaine Sosna (Lovehoney). Photo by Lloyd Ellington.

The announcement was live-streamed on Twitter - click here to watch the video.

All the finalists were given a goody bag containing items from Principal Sponsor Lovehoney and Festival Sponsor Bath Ales.

L to R: Chelsea Birkby, Martin Durchov, Nathan Eagle, Michael Cummings, Alex Prescot, Paul Hilleard, David Eagle, Nick Steel, Saban Kasim, Fran Kissling, Will Hall, Jenny Laville, Geoff Whiting and Elaine Sosna. Photo by Lloyd Ellington.

Read the British Comedy Guide report here.

Bath Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2018

Pete Latham wins inaugural Lovehoney Newcomer Award

This year's New Act Competition saw a total of 120 long-listed contenders battle it out over twelve heats and two semi-finals, with 10 finalists reaching the Grand Final, judged by a panel comprising comedy industry heavyweights including Graham Smith, Alan Nixon and Jill Edwards, plus Bath Comedy Festival Director Nick Steel. Here are the results:

First place: Pete Latham
Second place: Carl Carzana
Joint third place: Thanyia Moore, Klaus White

Pete Latham receives the inaugural Lovehoney Newcomer Award, a cheque from Bath Comedy Festival for £250, plus a guaranteed paid appearance at next year's Gala show.

L-R Richard Longhurst (Lovehoney), Nick Steel (Bath Comedy), Geoff Whiting (Mirth Control), Carl Carzana, Pete Latham, Klaus White, Thanyia Moore, Les Redwood (Visit Bath). Photo by Lloyd Ellington.

The announcement was live-streamed on Twitter - click here to watch the video.

A separate presentation of the trophy was made at a special gathering of Festival supporters, patrons and friends, held at The Royal Ocean Racing Club in London.

L-R Les Redwood (Visit Bath), Geoff Whiting (Mirth Control), Nick Steel (Bath Comedy), Pete Latham, Vaneetha Balasubramanium (Lovehoney). Photo by Kerrianne Gauld.

Previous Winners

2025
Winner - Madeleine Brettingham
2nd - Ro Dodgson
3rd - Emma Hughes

2024
Winner - Luke Richards
2nd - Vinny Shiu
3rd - Aisha Amanduri

2023
Winner - Mark Flynn
2nd - Sam Picone
3rd - Chris Yates
Honourable mentions: Kev Mud and Emma Coyne

2022
Winner - Adam Flood
2nd - Hubert Mayr
Joint 3rd - Freya Mallard & Will Owen

2020-21
Winner - Bennet Kavanagh
2nd - Henry Whaley
3rd - Sharlin Jahan

2019
Winner - David Eagle
2nd - Martin Durchov
3rd - Chelsea Birkby

2018
Winner - Pete Latham
2nd - Carl Carzana
Joint 3rd - Thanyia Moore & Klaus White

2017
Winner - Sunjai Arif
Runner-up - Benji Waterstones

2016
Winner - Pav Rao
2nd - Mark Dennett
3rd - Faye Treacy
Special Commendation: Tamar Broadbent

2015
Winner - Bethan Roberts
2nd - Phil Cooper
Joint 3rd - Aideen McQueen and Jay Cowle

2014
Joint winners - Archie Maddocks and Paul Revill
Runner-up - Russ Peers

2013
Winner - Larry Dean
2nd - Garrett Millerick
3rd (joint) - Nico Yearwood & Jonathan Wagstaffe

2012
Winner - Harriet Kemsley
2nd - Manos the Greek
3rd - Dan McKee

2011
Winner - Matt Richardson
2nd - Andrea Hubert
3rd - Chris Turner

2010
Winner - Mickey Sharma
2nd - Rob Beckett
3rd - Mark Simmons

2009
Winner - Joe Lycett
2nd - Jo Selby