The Southport New Comedian of the Year contest returns with the Grand Final taking place on Tuesday 14th October 2025 as part of the 14th annual Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport.
It all takes place under canvas in a luxury heated and seated marquee courtesy of Elite Events in Southport’s famous Victoria Park, home of the Flower Show.
Tickets are just £5 each, available from the Southport Comedy Festival website: What’s On – Southport Comedy Festival
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 New Comedian of the Year competition. We wish every act a Sooper Festival experience!”- Isabelle Kent, Sales & Marketing Director
Following a nationwide search where aspiring comedians from all over the UK were invited to apply for one of eight places in the final. Over 100 comedians applied, we can now reveal which eight will be going forward to the Grand Final:
Richard McCulloch
A Southport native, now living in Leeds, Richard is an alternative musical comedian, combining surreal storytelling with lively physical performances. Performing comedy for just 18 months Richard is the current winner of the Lawrence Batley Theatre Best New Act 2025. He was also Shortlisted for Best Newcomer and Best Alternative Act, at t’ Yorkshire Comedy Awards 2025.
Oliver Bowler
Bolton comedian Oliver Bowler is a talented rising star of the UK comedy scene. A natural born storyteller, with just two years of comedy under his belt, Oliver has been hailed by his comedy peers as one of the most exciting stand-ups to hit the circuit in recent years and is marked as one to watch after winning over audiences across the UK. Oliver mixes hilarious physicality, dry wit and cheeky charm to his relatable experiences through his well-crafted jokes. Watch this space…!
Gill Gee
Based in Warrington Gill has been performing comedy for just over three years and loves nothing more than making people laugh and embracing her creative side. A menopausal single mum whose sons have all grown up, she’s now relishing the chance to be a big kid again and do something gloriously irresponsible — stand-up comedy!
Her material draws on real-life stories from her years as a working mum, blending warmth, wit, and a touch of cheeky mischief. Gill is a retired therapist who still works in social care and alternative therapies. In short, she’s a menopausal funny witch having a midlife crisis—and loving every minute of it.
Marty Riley
An Artisan Food Vendor from Bradford, now living in Huddersfield, Marty has been trading his deadpan style of comedy for about three and a half years. His material mainly draws on his experience of psychosis with lots of ‘off-the-cuff’ stuff in there too. Shortlisted for the prestigious BBC New Comedy Awards 2022 in his first year of comedy, Marty has gone on to win various Gong Shows and reached the final of Gag n Bone New Comedian comp in 2023.
Tov Falk
An accountant and drama coach based in Southampton, Tov’s impressive comedy career highlights include Winner – “One to Watch”, West End New Act 2025, Semi-finalist – Hampshire Comedian of the Year 2025, Shortlisted – Funny Women Awards (sponsored by BBC). Originally from Sweden she ditched a failed acting career to show England how stand-up is done.
Ben Robinson
Based in Liverpool and currently working as a social media editor in Manchester, Ben has been sporadically performing for around three years on the open mic circuit. Ben is an observational and anecdotal comedian who has performed on line-ups for Hot Water Comedy Club, Comedy in a Van, Alexanders and Funhouse Comedy.
Dave Rowlands
A painter and decorator from Seaforth, Dave started performing stand-up comedy this year when he took part in a comedy workshop which culminated in a performance at the Salt and Tar Fringe Festival in Bootle. Since then he has done open spots at Liverpool Laughs at HeebieJeebies, Shipwrecked Comedy at The Shipping Forecast, and Hot Water Comedy Club. He describes his comedy as that of a 41 year old man who is both absolutely bewildered by and scared of – but somewhat excited and hopeful for – modern society and the future.
Tabash Mohammad
A data scientist, based in Manchester, Tabash has been doing comedy for just under three years. In that time he has gone on to win Beat the Frog, The King Gong, Beat the Blackout, Ding Dong and Backyard Comedy KO. Formerly based in London he has performed at the prestigious Comedy Store and Top Secret Comedy club.
Last year’s winner, comedian and full time NHS doctor Henry Michael said: “Southport New Comedian of the Year is 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.”
2023 winners The Halls of Ridiculous made up of Phil Allan-Smith & Chris Lumb said: “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.”
Southport Comedy Festival Director Brendan Riley said: “We are thrilled to have Dragon Soop onboard as our sponsor of the competition for a fourth year which promotes and encourages new comedians who are starting off in their career.”
A highlight event of the festival, the New Comedian Competition is a great chance to have a sneak preview of the stars of tomorrow. It is always a lovely night with a positive pro comedy vibe. Organisers are really excited about this year’s finalists. It is going to be a difficult one to judge again as the standard is high. The event is already selling fast, with tickets at just £5 what have you got to lose?
The Southport New Comedian of the Year event is part of the 17 day Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport. Running until 19th October 2025.
The star-studded line-up includes Dr John Cooper Clarke, Jason Byrne, Deirdre O’ Kane, Rich Hall and Mick Miller to name but a few.
For more information or to book tickets visit the festival website southportcomedyfestival.com
*Dragon Soop should only be consumed by adults aged 18+. Please enjoy responsibly
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