Handed out by the Glasgow Comedy Festival

The Glasgow International Comedy Festival has opened applications for next year’s Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award.

Acts, venues and staff taking part  in 2025’s festival encouraged to apply now via www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com to follow in the footsteps of previous winners Janey Godley and Susie McCabe .

A panel puts together a shortlist, based on the nominations received before 5pm on January 13, before Sir Billy Connolly ultimately decides the final winner. 

The person chosen will represent Glaswegian warmth, resilience and humour.  Sir Billy  previously said of the award: ‘What do you say about a town that dances, sings, plays and jokes differently from everybody else? The winner of this award will have to be a nutter like me…’

Festival director Krista MacDonald said: ‘Sir Billy Connolly is renowned around the world for his unique blend of warmth, hilarity and boldness - all values the award seeks to honour and that anyone, whether a life-long Glaswegian or a visitor to our city, will be very familiar with.’

The 2025 winner will be revealed at the festival’s gala on Sunday March 30 – the last day of the 18-day event – at the King’s Theatre.

The award recognises a person or group of people, not a show, meaning any GICF performers, venue staff, promoters or anyone otherwise involved in this year’s festival can apply. Applicants do not have to be from Glasgow or live in Glasgow, but instead must embody the spirit of the city.

McCabe said of her win last year: ‘When you start this career as a dare you don’t think for a minute you’re going to hear your name come out of Billy Connolly’s face! 

‘Thank you to Glasgow for being the wind in my sails. When you stand on this stage you stand on the shoulders of Billy, Elaine [C Smith], Dorothy Paul and Janey [Godley]. This means the absolute world to me - this city means the absolute world to me.’

Acts and venues can register to be included in GICF’s printed festival guide by November 22 via www.glasgowcomedyfestival.com

Published: 18 Nov 2024