Tom Towelling announced as the winner of The Channel 4 Sean Lock Comedy Award 2025

Photo credit: Matt Radcliffe

On Thursday 20th November, standout comedians from across the UK performed at St George’s Hall in this year’s City of Culture, Bradford, to compete for The Channel 4 Sean Lock Comedy Award 2025 – hosted by Edinburgh Comedy Award winning comedian Amy Gledhill.

The Sean Lock Comedy Award was established in memory of the much-loved comedian and showcases performers who exemplify Sean’s distinctive comedic spirit and Channel 4’s commitment to boundary-pushing comedy.

This year’s winner, Tom Towelling, will be given a comprehensive prize package to help kickstart his comedy career. This includes a £5,000 grant to help him further develop his live work, a script commission from Channel 4’s Comedy team and paid writing opportunities within Channel 4’s Entertainment and Digital departments. 

Tom brings a wild, anything-can-happen kind of energy. Musical, offbeat and alternative, he has been preforming as a stand-up comedian since 2023 in his hometown of Birmingham. He was formerly in the double act Good Kids. He attributes his love of comedy to his numerous aunts and uncles who regaled him with tales at birthdays, weddings, funerals and ‘ceremonies for other Catholic sacraments’ over the years.  

Tom commented: “I’m really chuffed and it feels so amazing to win. I'm pretty ecstatic and I feel a little bit emotional. I’m so proud of all the acts and I thought it was a great show. Thanks so much to Channel 4 for hosting. 

Sean Lock is an icon for so many comics and non-comics and I'm really proud to have won this award.” 

Charlie Perkins, Head of Comedy at Channel 4, said: “Tom ripped the roof off with his wholly original, beautifully curated and wildly varied set tonight, and alongside his imaginative writing we felt such a sense of excitement for his future and the many amazing directions it will inevitably go in. Huge congratulations to him and to all of the Finalists- the future of UK comedy feels brighter than ever.”

As part of the award, Channel 4 has worked with several live comedy venues and promoters across the UK to nominate and shortlist a group of standout finalists. 

Thanks to all those who took part in the nomination panel: 

David Bleese, Monkey Barrel Comedy, Edinburgh; Dian Cathal, comedian, writer and diversity advocate, Jade Henry from Empire Laughs Back, Belfast;  Ryan Taylor, The Pleasance London and Edinburgh; Henry Widdicombe from Little Wander Ltd.,  Lateef Ogunjobi co-founder of All Jokes Aside; Adam Jaremko from The Glee Clubs, Midlands and North; and Jake Graham, TV producer and founder of Proud of Yourself Comedy, London.

A special thanks also to contributors Saltaire Brewery, Universal Live, Cheshire Bar Hire, Bradford Council, and the volunteers from Bradford 2025, whose support helped make the event possible.

Congratulations to all the award finalists:

Samira Banks, Emer Maguire, Paul Hilleard, Limahl Germain, Dane Buckley, Thor Stenhaug, Sharon Wanjohi, Sydney May, Roger O’Sullivan