Woah, hang on - are we really almost halfway through January? Feels like we’ve only just accepted we’re back at work.

Anyway! Here’s what’s coming up this week: 

🏆 Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year Competition: Now in its 16th year, Leicester Square Theatre's showcase for the UK's best up & coming New Comedians. The best acts from almost 40 heats compete in the grand final in Leicester Square Theatre's Main House for the cash prize & the coveted title of New Comedian of the Year. 8pm GMT tomorrow, don’t miss out!

🎭 The Bill Murray: A community favourite, Live from The Bill Murray, is back this Thursday at 8pm (GMT). As always, it’s a brilliant lineup showcasing some of the best stand-up talent from the UK and beyond - very much the “see them now before they’re everywhere” kind of night. Lineup coming soon!

And yes, I’ll be hanging out in the livestream chat as usual, so come say hi!

So…we heard that quite a few people in the comedy community missed out on tickets for Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year. Tragic. 🥲

Luckily, we’ve stepped in and are livestreaming it on NextUp next Monday, just for you!

If you’ve got friends or family who fell victim to the dreaded waitlist, feel free to share this link with them. We can’t promise you hero status, but it won’t hurt. Will share more info about the lineup soon - it looks awesome! 🤩

Will any Leicester Comedy Festival shows be on this year?

Out of interest (and nothing more)… Did anyone make any New Year resolutions or habit goals for 2026?

FYI, this is not a support group and don't worry we're not turning into a millennial health podcast, haha! Just being politely nosey. 😏

What's On This Week? 🔴

Oh we're so back baby! Let's get those livestreams started again, shall we? I know you've missed them...

🐸 Beat The Frog (Monday): New Comedians try to 'beat the frog' in this anarchic, iconic show. This is the most unpredictable comedy night in the north.

👼 Live From the Bill Murray (Thursday):

This comedy night showcases the best talent in the UK and beyond. Get to see tomorrow's stars just before they break big.

See you in the livestream chat! Don't forget the snacks.

Omg hey everyone!

Yes, I know - it’s technically my first post of the year on here. Please keep the “haven’t seen you since last year” jokes brief and move on. 😉

Hoping you all rang in 2026 in one piece! Won’t lie I still have a slight headache, but that’s on me…

Anyway! I’ve got some seriously good news to kick things off: three brand new shows dropped on NextUp today. Yes, you read that right. All recorded at the last Edinburgh Fringe. All finally yours to enjoy. 🎉

First up we have the much-anticipated debut show about suffering (and smiling) from stand-up Ayoade Bamgboye. Swings and Roundabouts is about going nowhere fast, being too British to stop apologising, and too Nigerian to stop shouting. Watch it here! 

Then we have Molly McGuinness’ Slob is about what it means to be…well, a slob. To Molly, life didn't get any better than a good buffet and belting out Meatloaf down the pub karaoke. But when the Salford-born libertine was unexpectedly laid out by a life-threatening illness, Molly was forced to slob out whether she liked it or not. Watch it here! 

And last but not least, Andrew O’Neill takes to the screen in his show, Escape. To quote the Telegraph’s 5 star review, ‘No show at this year's Fringe has made me laugh harder...a dizzyingly eclectic set.’ Watch it here!

Enjoy, NextUppers - and welcome to 2026! Can’t wait to spend it laughing with you. 😎

Hey NextUppers! It’s me again. 🤪

We’re busy putting together a Christmas post for next week with festive family card photos. It was originally just going to be pictures of the NextUp team…but that felt a bit weird, seeing as you’re all very much part of the family too. 🥹

So, if you’re up for it and fancy getting involved, send us a festive pic - you can email it over to social@nextupcomedy.com by Monday, 22 December 2025.

It can be you, your pets or your family - anything goes! Silly Christmas clothing encouraged. 🎄