LGBTQ+ New Comedian Of The Year: Heat 1

This year’s LGBTQ+ New Comedian Of The Year performers will battle through the heats and semi-finals for a place in the Grand Final at London’s legendary Comedy Store—and the chance to win £1,000 and be crowned LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year 2026.
Previous finalists and winners have gone on to secure comedy agents, perform at major comedy clubs and festivals, appear on television and radio, and build their significant online audiences.

Your host for the evening is the brilliantly irreverent drag artist and comedian Sue Gives a F**k, with a headline performance from Ciara Barnes, 2025 competition finalist.