The Glasgow International Comedy Festival (GICF) has made it a tradition to announce the nominees of the Billy Connolly Spirit Of Glasgow Award, and this year is no different, featuring Craig Hill, Kim Blythe, Paul Black, Rosco McClelland and more. Chosen by Connolly himself, the winner will be unveiled at the GICF Comedy Gala on the event’s final day (Sunday 30 March). 

The 2025 shortlist was chosen by a panel of judges from across Scotland’s cultural industry, including actor, author and artistic director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre Alan Cumming, entertainment journalist Laura Boyd, actor and comedian Sanjeev Kohli, 2024’s Sir Billy Connolly Spirit Of Glasgow Award winner Susie McCabe, and more. 

One of the nominees for the award, Marjolein Robertson, said, 'I'm overwhelmed to be nominated for this award. Billy Connolly to me is the father of storytelling comedy. He broke the mould bringing his folk background and telling stories, creating images on stage. He's my greatest inspiration so to be included in this makes me feel like leaving Shetland to pursue comedy and bring my home's folktales to the stage was the right choice.’ 

Previous winners include Janey Godley in 2023 and Susie McCabe in 2024. McCabe will present this year’s award at the Comedy Gala.

The full shortlist for the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award is:

Craig Hill
Kim Blythe
Marjolein Robertson
Paul Black
Rosco McClelland
Scott Agnew
Viv Gee

Festival Director Krista MacDonald said, ‘A massive congratulations from the team at GICF to this year’s Sir Billy Connolly Award Shortlist - it’s an outstanding achievement to make it onto the seven-strong list amidst some fierce competition. It’s an honour for the Festival to have Sir Billy Connolly involved in this way and the Award recognises the very specific Glaswegian humour, warmth and resilience that the Big Yin is so beloved for. 

‘It’s exciting to see this year’s event get underway in so many fantastic venues already - from iconic comedy clubs like The Stand and Blackfriars to some of the more unique venues we have this year including the famous Barrowland Ballroom. Over the next few weeks, Glasgow will have its world-renowned humour on full display as we welcome comics from near and far to entertain the city and showcase exactly why it’s the funniest city in the world.’

Check out the five shows we recommend you see at this year’s GICF as well as our interview with some of the hottest acts at the festival. 

Glasgow International Comedy Festival, various venues, Wednesday 12–Sunday 30 March.