Josh Pugh will be head judge

The BBC has revealed details of the heats of this year’s New Comedy Awards.

Six heats will be held across the UK in September and October  – televised on BBC Three – before a final that will air on BBC One later this year.

Head judge will be 2022 Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Josh Pugh, pictured, who will be joined by two other stand-ups at each heat.  And free tickets for each show are available now.

Since they first launched in 1995, the BBC New Comedy Awards have helped launch the careers of Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Nina Conti, Russell Howard, Sindhu Vee, Alan Carr, Sarah Millican, Romesh Ranganathan and more.

In the Northern heat, the host will be Josh Jones, and the judges will be Ahir Shah and Amy Gledhill. It takes place at  Sunderland Fire Station on September 13. Tickets

In the Scottish heat, the host will be Larry Dean, and the judges will be Richard Gadd and Susie McCabe. It takes place at the Leith Theatre in Edinburgh, on September 15. Tickets

In the Northern Irish heat, the host will be Shane Todd, and the judges will be Martin Angolo and Diona Doherty.  It takes place at The Braid Theatre, Ballymena, on September 15. Tickets.

In the Southern heat, the host will be Laura Smyth, and the judges will be Michael Odewale and Fatiha El Ghorri. It takes place at York Hall in Bethnal Green, East London  on October 2. Tickets.

In the Midlands heat, the host will be Helen Bauer, and the judges will be Thanyia Moore and Colin Hoult. It takes place at Nottingham Albert Hall on October 4. Tickets.

In the Wales and the West heat,  the host will be Kiri Pritchard-McLean, and the judges will be Mike Bubbins and Sikisa. It takes place at the Pontio in Bangor on October 6.  Tickets.

Published: 30 Aug 2023