LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year 2026 - THE FINALS

LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year 2026 – Grand Final

Join Comedy Bloomers at London’s legendary Comedy Store on Tuesday 10 November to help crown the next rising star of LGBTQ+ comedy!

After more than 140 entries from across the UK, our finalists will compete for the 2026 title and £1,000 cash prize. Expect fresh perspectives, big laughs and everything from drag and dating to the everyday absurdities of queer life.

Vote for your favourite acts alongside our judges Chloe Petts, Tia Kofi, Josh Jones and James Barr who will also feedback to the acts on the night.

“I feel so proud watching people exist fully as themselves. And mainly I can’t wait to have a big laugh.”
— Chloe Petts

“What I love most about queer comedy is that our stand-up sets can be political, filthy, silly, absurd, vulnerable, or completely ridiculous — and often all those things in the same five minutes!”
— Tia Kofi

Hosted by Ciara O’Connor (2024 finalist), with a headline performance from Sydney May, our 2025 winner, this is a celebration of the UK’s freshest LGBTQ+ comedy talent.

Featuring

Alex Farrell - A pretty, slow comic from Liverpool, trying to find a job

Caz Thorne - Absurd, silly stand up from a South London lesbian

Donna Williams - “Powerhouse confidence and a compelling no-nonsense air.” - Chortle

Marco Devalier - High-energy, raunchy standup - impeccably dressed, unspeakably gay and incredibly Asian

Michael McPheat - “High-energy buffoonery... exudes warmth.” Attitude

Ro Dodgson - Gender nuisance comedian. Cracking the circuit and bothering the NHS

Sam Hickman - "Clearly destined for big things, Hickman is equipped with a voice filled with operatic drama” Chortle

Scout Robertson - A wee cow trapped in a big guy's body

Will Burke - One liner absurdist. Both non-binary and bisexual

Willow Marler - JK Rowling's Sleep Paralysis Demon

Book your tickets and help decide who takes the crown!