How does it feel to be judging the final of the New Comedy Awards?

I actually feel more relaxed about the final, anyone can win it and ultimately now it’s about who deserves to win on the night, and has the best gig in the room, so the pressure is off me really, and very much on the audience and acts.

What are you looking for in the winner of the New Comedy Awards?

Every one of the finalists would be a worthy winner and I believe all of them can go on to have brilliant careers in comedy… and even out of comedy, it’s never too late to retrain and get a trade if that’s what they want to do, plenty of vocational courses available online or alternatively an apprenticeship although hard to come by are perfect for those looking to ‘learn and earn’. It’s a big old gig (within the context, it’s all totally frivolous really) and it’s just about who can enjoy it and get themselves across in the room.

What makes a good stand-up show?

Oh, there’s so many different ways of doing it and that’s what’s great about live comedy, Peter Kay will take the roof off in a different way to Billy Connolly, Sarah Millican will do it in a different way to Bill Bailey. I think people just want to see something authentic and done well. I just like to be excited by what I’m watching on stage.

What advice would you give to any budding comedians looking to apply next year?

Just send in a good video of you doing 5 minutes of stuff you really like; I think at the early stages of doing comedy the things you like and are drawn to are the things that are most authentic and closest to your “voice.” To be totally honest I don’t and have never held talent shows in any sort of regard, but they can be great fun if you get to one of the televised heats and literally no harm done if you don’t. Nothing to lose.

What’s the best piece of advice you got when you were starting out in your career?

Someone once told me to ignore all advice, including that bit of advice, so I didn’t really know what to believe to be honest, but I think there is no substitute for doing lots of gigs, different kinds of gigs in different places to different types of people. Also push yourself, do a new bit, be brave, dare to be great, there are loads of good comedians, but the true greats will do things that others won’t, have fun out there.

Did you ever take part in any comedy talent shows?

Yeah, in year 6 me and my mates entered the school talent show, got on stage and wrestled for about a minute before the teachers put a stop to it, was it performance art? Had we just not planned anything? I honestly don’t remember but it was great.

The BBC’s foremost comedy talent search, The New Comedy Awards, has reached its climax. Over 1,000 applied, more than 100 went head-to-head at showcases across the country and 30 battled it out in the regional heats. Now, six finalists take to the stage in their bid to win over the judges and be crowned the BBC New Comedian of 2023.

Filmed in front of a full house at one of Scotland’s most historic and significant playhouses, King’s Theatre, Glasgow, which opened in 1904 and has played host to top stars and stand-up comics ever since.

The Grand Final is a culmination of six regional heats filmed across the UK. The judges have a tough job picking a winner from a diverse range of cutting-edge comics.

The awards are hosted by award-winning stand-up, writer and actor Rosie Jones. Head judge Josh Pugh takes his place for the final time and is joined by fellow stand-ups Zoe Lyons and Darren Harriot. Former winner of the New Comedian Award 2022 Dan Tiernan gives a very special performance before handing over the award to this year’s recipient.

First established in 1995, these prestigious awards have helped build the careers of some of Britain’s most-loved comedians including Peter Kay, Joe Lycett, Lee Mack, Julian Barratt, Josie Long, Shappi Khorsandi, Romesh Ranganathan, Alan Carr, Russell Howard, Lee Ridley, Nina Conti, Rhod Gilbert, Tom Allen, Lauren Pattison and Sarah Millican to name a few.

The BBC New Comedy Awards is unearthing a rich and broad range of brand new comedy stars from all corners of the country, helping to put British comedy back at the heart of world-class entertainment.

The final of the BBC New Comedy Awards 2023 airs tonight on BBC One and iPlayer at 10.40pm.