The countdown to the Southport Comedy Festival is on, but who will be crowned best new comedian?

The Heat is on for comedians entering to be the next Southport New Comedian of the year Sponsored and hosted by The Potting Shed Southport.

Budding comedians from all over the county will flock to the Southport this month to take part in the heats of the Southport Comedy Festivals 8^th annual search for the next Southport New Comedian of the Year.

The competition launched last month with a brand new sponsor, The Potting Shed Southport, who are delighted to be supporting the search for home grown comedy talent.

Over 100 comedians have applied to take part , Organisers of the Festival Brendan Riley and Val Brady are delighted with the response to the competition  and are excited to have the support of a new sponsor, The Potting Shed, for the Southport New Comedian Competition which has become a highlight of the festival.

“The Potting Shed is a fantastic venue and it’s great to be able to run the heats and final in the same place. This competition has proved to be a great springboard for new comedians in the past so we are thrilled that The Potting Shed has enabled us to ensure this popular event continues.”

30 comedians will be selected to go through to the heats, of which 6 of the best will be handpicked to go through to the final. All heats and the Grand Final will be held in the Potting Shed’s stunning new multi-million pound venue on Lord Street.

Heats will take place this month on the run up to the festival on Sunday 16^th and Sunday 30^th September with the Grand Final taking place on Thursday 11^th October as part of the annual Southport Comedy Festival.

The winner will be selected by a panel of judges and awarded the coveted title of ‘Southport New Comedian of the Year’, in addition they will also receive a special prize sponsored by The Potting Shed.

Tickets are £5 and can be purchased at The Potting Shed or online.

The Southport  New Comedian Competition is part of the 8^th Annual Southport Comedy Festival which runs from 4^th  to 21^st October in venues across town.

This year’s star studded line-up sees the return of some festival favourites, Jimeoin, Jo Caulfield, Tom Binns and Irish funny man Jason Byrne all appearing with brand new shows. Jason now known as the “King of the Festival” makes his 5^th return visit to the Festival.

Other Big TV names appearing are Phill Jupitus, Zoe Lyons, Hal Cruttenden whilst our Festival Specials at the Bold Hotel star ITV’s The Chase Paul (The Sinnerman) Sinha, and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Micky P Kerr. Other highlights include award winning comedians Sam Avery and Phil Nichol plus playing at the Bold Hotel for two nights are viral internet sensations Farmer Michael and Kathleen. This comedy duo from Ireland have gathered a following of over 200,000 people worldwide with some of their sketches reaching over 20 million Youtube views in addition to sell out shows in the UK and Ireland.

To book your tickets and get the full lineup head to the website here.