The BBC's big comedy talent search, the New Comedy Awards, has reached its climax. Over a thousand applied, more than 100 went head-to-head at showcases across the country, 30 battled it out in the regional heats, and now tonight, six finalists take to the stage in their bid to win over the judges and be crowned BBC New Comedian 2024. Presented by writer, comedian and former New Comedy Award winner, Lucy Beaumont, the grand final is filmed in front of a full house at the Iconic Alexandra Theatre in the heart of Birmingham. Head judge Babatunde Aléshé leads the panel making the hard choice of who will take this year's titled of Best New Comedian. Joining him is former finalist Shappi Khorsandi and last year's head judge Josh Pugh. The grand final is a culmination of six regional heats filmed across the UK. The search began in Leicester, before visiting Pontypridd, Crofton Park, Belfast, Paisley and ending in Lancaster. Taking to the stage for the final time in this talent search are Jonathan Oldfield, Maia Tassalini, Dane Buckley, Paul Hilleard, Jake Donaldson and Marty Gleeson. Rounding off the night is a very special performance by last year's winner Joe Kent-Walters as Frankie Monroe. Joe will also hand over the award to this year's recipient. The winner will receive a paid commission to write and perform their own 30-minute audio pilot under the mentorship of a BBC Comedy Commissioner, plus a trophy and £1,000. In addition, this year's winner will get to perform live on the BBC as part of Comic Relief's Red Nose Day night of TV in March 2025 — a campaign which will also celebrate the charity's 40th anniversary. Now in its 29th year, the New Comedy Awards have helped launch the careers of many well-known comedy greats that regularly feature on our stages and screens, including Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Russell Howard, Romesh Ranganathan, Alan Carr, Sarah Millican, Josie Long and Joe Lycett. The BBC New Comedy Awards is committed to taking the televised heats to often under-represented parts of the country and showcasing exciting new talent emerging from all corners of the UK.