Final live on Radio 4

Glasgow-based stand-up Stephen Buchanan has won this year’s BBC New Comedy Award.

He wins £1,000 and a 15-minute script commission from BBC Studios after triumphing at the final, which was broadcast live on Radio 4 from the Edinburgh Fringe.

Buchanan was previously runner-up in Scottish Comedian Of The Year last year – and his mum could be heard screaming in delight from the audience as the result was announced.

He said: '"I’m really shocked, it hasn’t quite sunk in yet. It’s been an incredible experience to take part in this competition – to get to the final and actually win it was amazing. Shout out to my mum who was the one screaming all the way through.'

Judge Sioned Wiliam, Radio 4’s comedy commissioner, praised his 'wonderfully original' material – much of which revolved around his family taking in a refugee – and for him ‘being in command of his material and owning the stage’.

' It was a faultless performance and he is absolutely a worthy winner,' she added.

The other finalists were  Helen Bauer, Isa Bonachera, Mamoun Elagab, Sarah Mann and William Stone.

Judge Mark Steel said: ‘They were all really good and all long as they’re dedicated and mad enough to drive up and down the country and feel miserable at the end of it, even if they’ve had a good gig, and stay in a Travelodge – that could all be open to them.’

Six hundred hopefuls had applied for this year’s competition, with just 50 making it through to one of the six regional heats held across London, Manchester and Cardiff in June. Ten of the best acts from the heats were put through to the semi-finals, also held at the Edinburgh Fringe.

Past winners and finalists include Alan Carr, Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Sarah Millican, Russell Howard, Joe Lycett, Josie Long and Nina Conti.

Hedi Regan, who won the title last year, said: 'I'm still coming to terms with how helpful winning the award has been for me. It opened up doors in so many areas and gave me more confidence in my comedy. It was a really fun competition and a wonderful experience all round.'

You can hear tonight’s final, which was hosted by Mark Watson, on iPlayer here.

Published: 12 Aug 2018