Winner of Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award 2025 revealed
The annual award is handed out at the end of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival's (GICF) Comedy Gala, which ran between March 12 and 30 this year.
At the award ceremony this afternoon, it was revealed that Rosco McClelland was this years winner.
The comedian collected his trophy onstage at the King's Theatre in Glasgow's city centre, following a touching video message from Sir Billy Connolly himself.
(Image: Image of Rosco provided) Rosco was up against the likes of Marjolein Robertson, Paul Black and Kim Blythe for the trophy and title - which has previously been won by Janey Godley and Susie McCabe.
Addressing Rosco directly, Sir Billy Connolly referenced one of his most famous jokes, saying: '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.'
Reacting to the award himself, Rosco 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 comedian and fantastic people. Cheers!'
Festival Director Krista MacDonald, 2024 winner Susie McCabe and comedy icon Elaine C Smith presented Rosco with the trophy.
Krista 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.'
The 2025 judging panel was comprised of radio presenter Aarti Joshi, Emmy award winning actor, author Alan Cumming, Clyde 1 radio presenter and DJ Cassi Gilespie, Still Game's Greg Hemphill, The Herald journalist Gregor Kyle, Glasgow's Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren, entertainment journalist Laura Boyd, Channel 4's Digital Commission Editor Laura Marks, Lost Glasgow journalist Norry Wilson, actor and comedian Sanjeev Kohli and comedian Susie McCabe.
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