Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award 2025

The West Mids’ biggest comedy prize returns.

A hand-picked selection of the very best emerging acts from across the region compete for the prestigious annual title.

Battling it out for the award are five fantastic acts ... Bab, Abbie Edwards, Abbie Hale, Harry Jenkins and Ryan S Lewis.

Previous winners include Josh Pugh (English Comedian Of The Year, Hypothetical, Rosie Jones's Disability Comedy Extravaganza, Live At The Apollo), Celya AB (Chortle Best Newcomer 2022, BBC Comedy Award 2021 Finalist, The Guilty Feminist, Live At The Apollo), Andrew McBurney (Gary Powndland and Friends), and Hasan Al-Habib (nominated for Leicester Comedy Festival Awards Best Debut Show 2025). 2024's Award was won by Tom Towelling (Musical Comedy Awards 2024 Winner).

Who will walk away with 2025's award?

Compered by James Cook.

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ABOUT THE SHORTLISTED ACTS

Bab: Originally from Dudley, Amy Spinks and Lauren Soley met while studying performing arts at Thomas Telford Sixth Form, in Telford. Known collectively as Bab, they've since relocated to North London where they both work in scripted television. "Mainly, refilling the biscuits, pens and fighting with the printer on behalf of others," confesses Amy. On their sketch-based comedy, Lauren states: "We are regional, chaotic, relatable, we hold a smashed mirror up to society. This is a tonic for us, we've been mates since we were at school and just love having a laugh together and with audiences."
◼ Instagram: @babdocomedy

Abbie Edwards: From Solihull (by way of Yardley), Abbie Edwards got a taste for performing after appearing at a University of Southampton Freshers Event in 2017. Now living in North West London, where she works in education, Abbie cites Rose Matafeo, Sharon Wanjohi, James Acaster and Stewart Lee as some of her comedy inspirations. Describing her approach to stand-up as "self-deprecating," she adds: "I overshare a lot. I’ve been told I have quite a manic persona, but I mostly feel like I’m being myself on stage. Take from that what you will.”
◼ Instagram: @abbieedwards98

Abbie Hale: Hailing from Bilston, Wolverhampton, though now living in Erdington, Birmingham, Abbie Hale studied drama at De Montfort University, Leicester, where she performed a stand-up set as part of her dissertation. She enjoyed it so much, she signed up for a comedy course (led by comedian James Cook), making her public debut at Loki Wine Bar, in Birmingham, in late 2019, for Useful Idiot. "My comedy style is character-based and I love creating characters that are some of the worst people to spend time around," says Abbie, who lists some of her comedy idols as "Vic and Bob, Julia Davis, Caroline Aherne, Victoria Wood and the League Of Gentlemen."
◼ Instagram: @abbiehalecomedy

Harry Jenkins: A “born and bred Brummie,” Harry Jenkins resides in Selly Park, Birmingham. He made his stand-up debut in December 2022 for Reckless Comedy at The Royal Pug in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, appearing alongside established comic Andrew Bird, and since January 2025 has been pursuing comedy full-time – as both an event promoter and comedian. "I just try and come across likeable and affable on stage and just talk about anything I think might be funny and more than anything just enjoy being up there," he says of his approach to stand-up which has been shaped by his admiration for such acts as Billy Connolly, Frank Skinner, Russell Howard, Lindsey Santoro and Rob Rouse.
◼ Instagram: @harryjenkinscomedy

Ryan S Lewis: Ryan S Lewis was born in "sunny Smethwick," and still lives in Sandwell. A civil servant by day, the former drama student made his comedy debut at Cradley Heath's famed Holly Bush in May 2022. With a fondness for "over enthusiastic storytelling", his comedy has been influenced by a decade-spanning range of names. "I’ve got a very eclectic taste when it comes to comedy. I love everything from Morecambe and Wise and Les Dawson to Eddie Murphy and Dave Chapelle; [but] I would say my idols are Peter Kay, Eddie Murphy and Bernie Mac."
◼ Instagram: @dukeofmelanin

ABOUT THE BIRMINGHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL BREAKING TALENT AWARD

A collaboration between the comedy festival and The Glee Club Birmingham, the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award debuted in 2014. Designed specifically to elevate, support and celebrate comedy talent from the region, participation in the award is by invitiation-only - with shortlisted acts nominated by comedians, promoters and comedy professionals from the area. The award's traditional trophy is referred to as 'The Mug Of Victory.'