Southport Comedy Festival paid partnership
Jack Wood is celebrating winning the title of 2026 Southport New Comedian Of The Year sponsored by Dragon Soop in a fiercely contested Grand Final.
The prestigious annual event, which provides a platform for some of the most talented emerging comedians in the UK, was held at the 15th Southport Comedy Festival in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport on Saturday night (3rd October 2026) in front of a delighted crowd.
The Southport New Comedian Of The Year contest is among the highlights of the festival, which is taking place in a luxury marquee provided by Elite Events between 2nd-18th October 2026.
The New Comedian of the Year Grand Final is always one of the most exciting and supportive nights of the festival.
The judges had some very difficult decisions to make with some outstanding performances.
This year’s runner-up was Adam Anwar while Kie Carson won third place.
Jack Wood, a comedian from Manchester who gave an energetic and hilarious performance, takes home the coveted trophy as well as a £300 prize.
Southport Comedy Festival Director Brendan Riley said:
“It was an amazing Grand Final with eight amazing acts!
“We’d like to say well done to Peter Jones, Annabelle Devey, Jen Sharples, Dave Robinson, and Mark Williams who weren’t placed, but were fantastic in their own right.
“All of them have a bright future in live comedy.
“We are thrilled to have Dragon Soop onboard as our sponsor of the competition for a fifth year which promotes and encourages new comedians who are starting off in their career.
“We’d like to say thank you to our judges: Dragon Soop Sales and Marketing Manager Isabelle Kent; Stand Up For Southport Director Andrew Brown; Southport Flower Show and Victoria Park Events General manager Alan Adams; SB Patel Accountants Director Babu Patel; and representing the showbiz industry, magician John Harding.
“Southport Comedy Festival is continuing until 18th October with some fantastic acts on stage in the luxury heated and seated marquee at Victoria Park from now until 18th October.
“Don’t miss your chance to book your tickets!”
The 2026 Southport New Comedian Of The Year Grand Final was sponsored for a fifth year by Dragon Soop, a caffeinated alcoholic beverage that is available in a range of flavours.
During a nationwide search, aspiring comedians from all over the UK were invited to apply for one of eight coveted places in the Grand Final.
Over 100 comedians applied, with eight impressive finalists earning their places on the stage:
Peter Jones
An Inclusion support worker from Kirby, Peter Jones has been going for just 9 months having started comedy in January 2026. Since then, he has had the opportunity to perform at gigs across the North West, as well as running and hosting his own comedy nights. His background in theatre influences his style, which blends general observations with engaging storytelling elements.
Kie Carson
Originally from Wallasey and now based in Toxteth, Kie Carson is a TA in a SEND School. He has been doing stand-up since 2003 and is close to 1000 gigs. Winner of the Laffin Stock Comedian of the Year in 2025, Kie Carson has made a name for himself with sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and progressing far in prestigious competitions like So You Think You’re Funny, Beat the Frog Word Series and Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year.
Annabelle Devey
Originally from the Midlands but now living in Manchester. Annabelle Devey is a TV runner by day. An observational comedian, Annabelle has been performing stand-up comedy for 4 years. She has been described as ‘one to watch’ by The Mancunion.
Adam Anwar
Bolton-born and raised Adam Awar is an office administrator by day. With 500+ gigs under his belt, Adam was the Bolton Star For a Night winner in 2023 and has been a tour support for Phoenix Nights Clinton Baptiste.
Jack Wood
Manchester comedian Jack Wood has been performing stand up for a few years. He has been described as “Weirdly Funny” by Notts Comedy Review. Jack was a semi-finalist in Beat The Frog World Series, and has been shortlisted in the prestigious BBC new comedy Awards. His style is high energy, observational silly comedy.
Jen Sharples
Originally from Darlington and now living in Leeds, Jen is a Psychological Therapist for the NHS. She has been doing stand-up since March 2025 with 20 gigs under her belt.
Dave Robinson
Originally from Warrington but now living in Liverpool. Dave has been performing stand up for 3 years in some of the biggest clubs across the country including The Frog and Bucket, Hot Water and Angel Comedy. His dry, observational comedic style has earned him a nomination in the BBC New Comedy Awards and millions of views on social media. His Mum’s very proud.
Mark Williamson
After completing a comedy course in the summer of 2025, Wirral born Mortgage Adviser Mark got the comedy bug and officially started doing stand-up in January 2026, on the open mic scene in Liverpool. Since then, he has started to receive regular bookings across Merseyside and West Yorkshire, appearing at Hot Water comedy and The Frog and Bucket open mic nights.
The Southport New Comedian of the Year Grand Final is just one of the highlights of the 17-day Southport Comedy Festival, presented in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport, which celebrates its 15th anniversary in 2026.
This year’s festival line-up features some of the biggest names in comedy, including Jason Manford, Jason Byrne, Paul Sinha, Jimeoin, Clinton Baptiste, Henning Wehn, Gary Delaney, Paul Merton & Suki Webster, Adam Kay, Mike Wozniak, Seann Walsh, Scott Bennett and the return of comedy legend Mick Miller.
Courtesy of Elite Events, the festival is once again taking place under canvas in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee in Victoria Park, Southport, home of the world-famous Southport Flower Show.
Tickets for all festival shows are available from: southportcomedyfestival.com
*Dragon Soop should only be consumed by adults aged 18+. Please enjoy responsibly
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