Southport Comedy Festival is looking for it's New Comedian of the Year

Southport Comedy Festival 2025 has launched its search for the next Southport New Comedian of the Year.

Aspiring comedians from all over the country have been invited to apply to win one of eight places in the grand final which takes place on Tuesday 14^th October 2025 as part of the 14th annual Southport Comedy Festival Under Canvas at Victoria Park in Southport.

This year’s event is sponsored for a fourth year by Dragon Soop*, a caffeinated alcoholic beverage that comes in a range of flavours.

“Dragon Soop is delighted to continue its support of the Southport Comedy Festival. We wish every act a Sooper Festival experience!”- Isabelle Kent, Sales & Marketing Director

The Southport New Comedian of the Year competition is open to all comedians who have less than four years’ experience of performing before a paying audience.

Applicants are asked to upload a short promo video onto YouTube. You can find more details on the New Comedian Competition page on the Southport Comedy Festival website.

The winner will be selected by a panel of judges and will be awarded the coveted title of ‘Southport New Comedian of the Year 2025′, in addition they will also receive a cash prize and a trophy kindly provided by Dragon Soop.

Southport Comedy Festival Director Brendan Riley said:

“We are thrilled to have Dragon Soop onboard as our sponsor for a fourth year.

“The New Comedian competition has always been a highlight of our festival.

“With so many big names performing at this year’s festival it is great to offer a night that promotes and encourages new comedians who are starting off in their career.

“A lot of comedians have gone on from this competition to enjoy full professional careers. They come and enter the competition from all over the UK.”

2023 winners The Halls of Ridiculous made up of Phil Allan-Smith & Chris Lumb had this to say of the competition – “The Southport New Comedian of the Year competition is without doubt one of the most fun and well organised competitions we’ve been involved in. It’s a great springboard for new acts, and being in the final was a great experience in front of a brilliant, large, comedy savvy audience.

“We’d encourage any acts breaking into pro line ups and paid work to enter this comp.”

Since their win The Halls of Ridiculous who merge quick fire improvised comedy with high energy character-based sketches have gone from strength to strength on the comedy circuit to include supporting multi award winning comedian and star of TV Russell Kane on his national tour. Russell has called the comedy duo “Absolutely ace”.

Southport Comedy Festival New Comedian Of The Year Winner Henry Michael with Festival Director Brendan Riley and other finalists

The 2024 winner, comedian and full-time NHS doctor Henry Michael had this to say:

“A fantastic competition run by a wonderful group of people in a lovely tent. One of my favourite places to perform in, even when they aren’t bestowing me with awards. I wish all the best to this year’s participants and will look on at this year’s winner with bitter jealousy.”

The Southport New Comedian of the Year event is part of the 17 day Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones Kia with a star studded lineup to include literary phenomenon and ‘Godfather of Punk Poetry’ Dr John Cooper Clarke, high-energy festival favourite Jason Byrne, universally acclaimed observational joke-master Jimeoin, American comedy legend Rich Hall, multi-award-winning comedian and broadcaster Mark Steel, internationally acclaimed Irish star Ardal O’Hanlon of Father Ted fame, Persian powerhouse and star of the silver screen Omid Djalili, comedian and Strictly Come Dancing star Chris McCausland, Irish Comedy Queen Deirdre O’Kane, Host of Smash Hit Podcast ‘Have a Word’ Dan Nightingale, comedy circuit favourite Jenny Collier, star of Britain’s Got talent Jonny Awsum, hilariously outrageous clairvoyant from Phoenix Nights Clinton Baptiste and UK comedy icon Mick Miller, the beloved “bald man with the long hair” and a cherished entertainer for over 40 years. There are also two special Bingo events raising funds for local charities.

Courtesy of Elite Events, this year’s festival will be staged once again in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee in Victoria Park, home of the world-renowned Southport Flower Show, from Friday 3rd October to Sunday 19th October 2025.

The Southport New Comedian Grand Final will take place on Tuesday 14th October 2025. Tickets are just £5 each which are kept low to make the events as accessible as possible.