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Rosco McClelland wins Billy Connolly comedy award

Ross McClelland says to know the Big Yin has seen his stand-up is incredible

Rosco McClelland has won this year's Sir Billy Connolly "Spirit of Glasgow" Award at the city's comedy festival.

The Glaswegian comic received a special video message from Sir Billy as he picked up his award.

Referencing a joke McClelland tells about slugs in bins, Sir Billy told him: "Congratulations to Rosco McClelland - the slug nudger! Well done."

The award was announced at the festival's comedy gala show, which was held at the King's Theatre.

McClelland said he felt thrilled and honoured to lift an award named after and judged by Sir Billy.

He told BBC Scotland News: "To know that the Big Yin himself has seen me do stand-up is incredible.

"I started about 10 years ago and never thought it would come to anything like this. So I'm so pleased and happy.

"It's incredible to know that you're liked and respected and people appreciate your work."

He added: "I used to be a plumber and then one day I thought, I'm sick of making money – let's get a career in the arts. Terrible idea but it's paying off now."

The previous winners of the award have been Glasgow comedians Susie McCabe and the late Janey Godley.

McCabe was joined by Scottish comedy icon Elaine C. Smith in handing over this year's award.

A panel of judges from a variety of fields debated the winner before sending their thoughts to Sir Billy, who then made the final decision.

Sir Billy told McClelland: "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."

Andrew Downie A smiling man with brown hair and a beard wearing a black T-shirt receives an award from a smaller woman with spikey gray hair and wearing a grey jacket and green shirtAndrew Downie
McClelland received his award from last year's winner Susie McCabe

The award, introduced in 2023, is intended to reward an individual who most personifies the "spirit of Glasgow".

Other nominees for this year's honour were Craig Hill, Kim Blythe, Marjolein Robertson, Paul Black, Scott Agnew and Viv Gee.

Glasgow Comedy Festival director Krista MacDonald described McClelland as "one of Scotland's brightest comedic voices" who has been entertaining audiences for over a decade.

She added: "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."