BBC New Comedy Award

Open to acts performing for less than three years. Until 2003, the final took place at the Edinburgh festival every year, and was shown on BBC1. In 2004, it became a radio event on digital station BBC7.

The scheme was axed in 2006 and replaced by another talent hunt putting the emphasis on to sketch writing and filmed performances.

Previous winners

1995: Julian Barratt
Finalists: Daniel Kitson, Silky, Lee Mack, Ambrose Martose, Viv Gee, Jeff Mirza, Nicko

1996: Marcus Brigstocke and Jenny Ross (joint winers)
Finalists: Chris Addison, Alan Doyle, Addy Borgh, Neil Bromley, Marian Kilpatrick, Bob May

1997: Paul Foot
Finalists: Bennett Arron, Justin Lee Collins, Craig Crookston, Neil Anthony, Gareth Hughes, Peter Kay, Deidre O'Kane.

1998: Dan Antopolski
Finalists: Mary Bourke, Tony Coffey, Rhodri Crooks, Danny Oakes, Dan Tetsell, Helen Pilcher, Caroline Quinlan

1999: Josie Long
Finalists: David O'Doherty, Marc Small, Matthew Walters, Scott Pragnall, Colin Ward, Steve Harris

2000: Jason John Whitehead
Finalists: Anthony J Brown, Angie McEvoy, Shappi Khorsandi, Paddy Bramwells, Billy Dufus, Andy Hulcoop, Des McLean

2001: Alan Carr
Finalists: Markus Birdman, Keith Carter as Nige, Jarred Christmas, Des Clarke, Rob Deering, Russell Howard, Justin Moorhouse

2002: Nina Conti
Finalists: Dylan, Bob Kobe, Paul Kerensa, Gary Delaney, Stefano Paolini, Ninia Benjamin, Karl Spain

2003: Rhod Gilbert
Runners-up: Greg Cook, Steve Hall
Finalists: Michael Anderson, Ava Vidal, Lloydy The Illegal Street Trader

2004: Andrew Lawrence
Runners-up: James Sherwood, Danielle Ward
Finalists: David Nicholls, Liam Mullone, Jarlath Regan

2005: Tom Allen
Runners-up: Sarah Millican, Edward Aczel.
Finalists: Aaron Counter, Luke Roberts, James Branch.