It’s been a bumper year for the BBC’s biggest comedy talent search, with over 1200 applying for the coveted title of BBC New Comedian 2023. In this episode, five hopefuls battle it out in the northern heat to bag their place at the grand final in Glasgow.

The Fire Station in Sunderland plays host to this regional heat. This former engine house has been transformed into a state-of-the-art music, performance and arts space in the heart of Sunderland that works with Sunderland Culture to support people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to get involved in creative arts.

Hosting the show is Mancunian ray of sunshine Josh Jones, who is one of the most original voices to emerge from the north-west in recent years. Joining Josh is actor, writer and comedian Amy Gledhill, and 2023 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Ahir Shah. Keeping the house in order is head judge Josh Pugh, who brings his authentic everyman approach to judging as only Josh can.

The judges have a tough job picking a winner from the five new comics, who take to the stage with material jam-packed with fresh topics and jokes aplenty. This is just one of six heats taking place across the UK – Leith, Ballymena, Bethnal Green, Nottingham and Bangor all play host to these comedy showdowns.

First established in 1995, these prestigious awards have helped build and nurture the careers of some of Britain’s most loved comedians, including Peter Kay, Joe Lycett, Lee Mack, Julian Barratt, Josie Long, Shaparak Khorsandi, Romesh Ranganathan, Alan Carr, Russell Howard, Lee Ridley, Tom Allen, Lauren Pattison and Sarah Millican.

The BBC New Comedy Awards is unearthing a wealth of brand-new comedy talent who will become the stars of the future. Show less