Amanda Dwyer wins Sir Billy Connolly Spirit Of Glasgow Award 2026
Dwyer is the fourth recipient of the prestigious award, which is part-selected by Connolly himself
Amanda Dwyer has won the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit Of Glasgow Award, one of the most coveted comedy awards in Scotland. The win was announced at Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s (GICF) closing gala in King’s Hall, with an overwhelmed Dwyer receiving a personalised message from Connolly himself.
Dwyer has long been a welcome figure on the Scottish comedy scene for her probing (and very funny) autobiographical work, and has become known as the curator of Material Girl, a regular comedy night platforming female and non-binary comedy acts, which she programmes alongside Susan Riddell (who was also a nominee for this year’s award). Earlier this year, she received a bursary from The Stand comedy club which will cover the cost of her show at the Fringe, and provide her with creative mentorship and marketing support.
‘The shortlist was so amazing that I never thought for a second that I would win this,’ Dwyer told us after her win, ‘I’m so chuffed!’
‘It was great to be nominated with Susan,’ she continued. ‘I really thought she should have won this, but I know she’ll be really happy for me.’
Dwyer said onstage: ‘I don’t believe this. I just, in a million years never thought I was gonna win this. I don’t have any words I can’t believe it. I’m gonna pass out. I’m really in shock. Thank you so much to the comedy festival, this is genuinely a pure honour. I’m really glad I painted my nails today.’
The full shortlist includes five female comedians, and one venue owner and promoter: Dwyer; Chris Conway, who owns the Glasgow venue Blackfriars; Kate Hammer, a Canadian comic who’s called Scotland her home for more than half-a-decade; Kim Blythe, a viral sensation who made a phenomenally successful jump from social media to stage; Riddell, a long-standing favourite of Scottish comedy; and Zara Gladman, who’s perhaps best known for her comic persona Aileen, the Glasgow West End Mum.
This year’s panel of judges were broadcaster Edith Bowman, actor Gary Lamont, presenter Michelle McManus, actor and writer Greg Hemphill, and 2025’s winner Rosco McClelland, as well as Connolly himself.
Now in its fourth year, previous recipients of the award are McClelland, Susie McCabe and Janey Godley.
GICF’s festival director Krista MacDonald said: ‘Amanda Dwyer is a comic who personifies the city she comes from in every way. Something Glaswegians are renowned for is finding humour even in dark times, and that is something Amanda does so deftly and thoughtfully in her comedy as she tackles the raw, and often traumatic, realities of being a woman. Amanda's deadpan delivery and wicked sense of humour have been making waves in the Scottish comedy scene for the past five years, and her commitment to making comedy more welcoming for new female voices is just another way in which Amanda embodies the spirit of Glasgow.
‘Sir Billy Connolly continues to inspire new comics around the world, but especially in his hometown of Glasgow where his fearless creativity and generous spirit can be found around every corner. From bold new artists spanning the city's cultural landscape to our endless desire to find humour in hard times. It is a city that the Big Yin made famous by travelling the world and telling his stories about us all. As ever, the GICF team are honoured to have Sir Billy involved in the Festival and to give out this award in his name. We thank him and his family for their time.
‘We send our warmest congratulations to Amanda as the fourth ever winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award as well as to this year's wonderful shortlist who all reflect the heart and humour of the Festival, and of Glasgow. Amanda now joins Janey, Susie and Rosco in this prestigious list of winners who represent our city in the very best, and funniest, way they can.’
Picture: Tommy Ga-Ka Wen.