Madeleine Brettingham wins prestigious comedy newcomer competition

Madeleine Brettingham has been announced as winner of the 38th edition of So You Think You’re Funny? - the UK’s most prestigious comedy newcomer competition.

Article Source: Gilded Balloon
Last Updated: 22 August 2025 10:43

21st August - Karen & Katy Koren and the Gilded Balloon are delighted to announce Madeleine Brettingham as winner of the 38th edition of So You Think You’re Funny? - the UK’s most prestigious comedy newcomer competition.

Image: Madeleine Brettingham and Doon Mackichan
Image credit: Steve Ullathorne

Reb Day and Joel Walker came second and third place respectively, coming out top from over 435 initial applications and entertaining a sold out crowd at this year’s final at Appleton Tower, hosted by all-star MC Laura Lexx.

Following hilarious heats across the UK, comic Madeleine Brettingham claimed the crown for this year’s competition after a judging panel including special guest judge Doon Mackichan (Comedian and TV Star) plus Angela Squire (Artistic Director of the Kilkenny Cat Laughs Comedy Festival), Bruce Dessau (Editor of Beyond the Joke), Arusa Qureshi (Editor of Fest Mag), Julia Chamberlain (So You Think You’re Funny? Producer) as well as Karen and Katy Koren (Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon) watched 7 minute sets from all 10 finalists, before convening to choose the winner.

Since it began in 1988, previous winners of SYTYF? have included Aisling Bea, Maisie Adam, Ivo Graham, Tommy Tiernan, Alana Jackson, David O’Doherty and more, with the competition renowned for kickstarting the careers of dozens of the UK’s top comics and providing essential support to comedy newcomers.

Madeleine Brettingham is a writer-turned-performer who, after years of avoiding the spotlight, tried stand-up when a famous comedian appeared in a dream and told her to. Against all odds, it turned out to be pretty solid advice. She lives in London.

Karen & Katy Koren and the So You Think You’re Funny? team would like to offer a huge congratulations to 2025’s finalists (in alphabetical order) :

Joel Walker - second runner up
Madeleine Brettingham - winner
Noni
Oro Rose
Peter Josip
Qasim Akhtar
Rachel Porter
Reb Day - first runner up
Sean Chalmers
Valeria Vulpe

Katy and Karen Koren, Artistic Directors of Gilded Balloon and So You Think You’re Funny? said:, “Huge congratulations to Madeleine Brettingham - 2025’s fantastic winner of So You Think You’re Funny?

“This year’s competition was extremely competitive with over 435 applications, so it’s an outstanding feat for these 10 finalists from across the UK to have made it this far and perform in front of our sold out crowd tonight. Each year it’s fantastic to see so many So You Think You’re Funny? alumni return to the Fringe to make their debut or take part in mixed bill runs. 2024’s winner Alana Jackson has had a huge sold out run with us this August, as well as brilliant shows from the likes of Sophia Wren, Christopher Donovan, our Best of So You Think You’re Funny acts and many more.

“A massive thank you to every comic who entered the competition this year, and all our esteemed judges who joined us at heats across the UK to ensure we could provide a platform to some of the very best new up and coming comedians in the country. We’ve all been blown away by the talent on display tonight and we’re sure they will go on to do wonderful things!”

Celebrity guest judge Doon Mackichan said:, “I’m absolutely bowled over and amazed at the talent tonight - it was a really difficult decision and such a high standard. I laughed at every single person, but we had to make a decision. This is brutal - it’s worse than The Voice and X Factor!”

Judges who chose this year’s finalists included: special guest judge Doon Mackichan, journalists Arusa Qureshi and Bruce Dessau, plus Katy and Karen Koren and more.

Since it began in 1988, So You Think You’re Funny? has kick-started the careers of dozens of the country’s top comics including Dylan Moran, Peter Kay, Maisie Adam, Rhod Gilbert, Tommy Tiernan and many more. It is the longest running and most established comedy competition of its kind, solely funded by Gilded Balloon without external sponsors.

This year’s winner will receive…
• A cash prize.
• A fully paid for solo show (or mixed bill) run as part of the Gilded Balloon’s Fringe programme.
• Up to 4 mentorship meetings (virtual or in person) with Channel 4's Comedy Commissioning team in the year following the final.
• A paid performance slot in the Comedy Arena and weekend pass at Latitude Festival in the year following the competition thanks to Festival Republic.
• Opportunity to perform at Cat Laughs comedy festival in Kilkenny, Ireland (subject to programmer approval and slot availability)
• Opportunity to perform at Glasgow International Comedy Festival (subject to programmer approval and slot availability)
• Opportunity to take part in Soho Theatre's Soho Labs programme in the year following the final.
• Other paid performance slots at the UK's best comedy clubs including the Glee Club, the Boat Show and more.
• Complimentary headshot photoshoot by professional photographer to the stars, Steve Ullathorne.
• Complimentary filmed copy and professional photographs of their spot from the Final to use in their show-reel.
• Mentorship and support from Karen and Katy Koren, Artistic Directors at Gilded Balloon and Julia Chamberlain, the So You Think You’re Funny? producer for over 20 years.

There are also prizes for the runners-up including;
• A cash prize for the first and second runner up.
• Potential to be invited to take part in a fully paid for mixed bill show as part of Gilded Balloon’s Fringe programme.
• Mentorship and support from Karen and Katy Koren and Julia Chamberlain, the So You Think You’re Funny? producer.

For more information on So You Think You’re Funny? visit www.soyouthinkyourefunny.co.uk

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Madeleine Brettingham wins prestigious comedy newcomer competition

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