Susie McCabe wins Billy Connolly comedy award

Glasgow comedian Susie McCabe has won the Billy Connolly 'Spirit of Glasgow' Award at the city's comedy festival.

The event's judges said that she "epitomises everything good about Glasgow and its comedy scene" when declaring her the winner.

Sir Billy also added his praise, sending a video message in which he stated he had been "blown sideways" watching her perform.

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

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.

In his video message he said: "I watched you on TV and I was blown sideways. It's been lovely watching your style, that Glasgow style of comedy - it's brilliant, I loved it.

"You're brilliant so keep it up."

The award was presented to Ms McCabe by festival director Krista MacDonald, comedian Elaine C Smith and the 2023 winner Janey Godley.

Ms McCabe said that the award meant "the absolute world" to her.

Collecting the prize, she said: “When you start this career as a dare you don’t think for a minute you’re going to hear your name come out of Billy Connolly’s face.

“Thank you to Glasgow for being the wind in my sails. When you stand on this stage you stand on the shoulders of Billy, Elaine, Dorothy Paul and Janey."

Ms McCabe began performing comedy in her 30s as the result of a dare, having previously worked in the construction industry.

She has since gone on to support Kevin Bridges in arenas, enjoy a sold out run of shows at the Edinburgh Fringe and been praised for a positive "hilariously down to Earth" style by critics.

Ms MacDonald stated that she was a "truly worthy winner".

She said: "Susie epitomises everything good about Glasgow and its comedy scene; she has generosity of spirit in spades and is unapologetic in her comedy, but manages to still be warm, inclusive, hard-working, gallus and to her very core, funny."

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

Other nominees for the honour were Craig Hill, Raymond Mearns, Rosco McClelland, Susan Riddell and Zara Gladman.

The festival will conclude on Easter Sunday, having hosted over 500 events.