Rosco McClelland picked up the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit Of Glasgow Award at last night’s Glasgow International Comedy Festival closing gala, taking it home ahead of a seven-strong shortlist which included Craig Hill, Marjolein Robertson, Paul Black, Viv Gee and more.

McClelland is the third recipient of the award, which has previously been given to Susie McCabe and Janey Godley and which has become a prestigious marker for the comedy scene. He was presented with a personal video message from Connolly himself, recorded from his home in Florida, who said: ‘Congratulations to Rosco McClelland – the slug nudger! Well done – I had a good laugh at your thing about the slugs in the bin. I wish you all the very best, I hope your career goes bouncing from strength to strength and that the Glasgow humour goes bounding from strength to strength, as it will. Congratulations.’ 

Rosco McClelland was presented with the award in the final minutes of the Comedy Gala. He said: ‘I honestly can’t believe this. I never thought about anything to say but I’m going to Fuerteventura tomorrow so I’m looking forward to that!

'Thank you so much. To join the list of people who have won, Janey and Susie, is incredible. To know that the Big Yin has seen me do my silly wee bits of stand-up is insane; that’s the real prize in this. Just to hear him say my name, I can’t believe this, he’s the best to ever do it. Thank you to my family, everybody at Glasgow International Comedy Festival, and my agents. To everybody else who was nominated – they’re fantastic comedians and fantastic people. Cheers!’ 

Festival Director Krista MacDonald said: ‘Rosco McClelland is one of Scotland’s brightest comedic voices and has been entertaining audiences for over a decade with his unique look at the absurdities of everyday life. After being nominated for awards like Best Newcomer back in 2015, to see a homegrown Glaswegian talent like Rosco be honoured with 2025’s Sir Billy Connolly Spirit Of Glasgow Award is a real testament to his hard work and commitment to his craft. Rosco embodies all that is exceptional about Glasgow and its comedy scene; a bold and brave brand of comedy, an unparalleled resilience and warmth and, above all else, an unfailing desire to make people laugh. 

‘Sir Billy Connolly is a comic who has shaped and defined Glasgow’s cultural identity, and reflected the very best of this city back to audiences around the world. To have the Big Yin involved in the Festival in this way and for us to distribute an award in his name is a real honour. 

‘The GICF team send our warmest congratulations to Rosco as the winner of the third ever Sir Billy Connolly Spirit Of Glasgow Award, as well as this year’s outstanding shortlist, who are all a shining representation of the strength of Scottish comedy.’