The comedian collected her award onstage at the King’s Theatre, following a personalised video message sent from Sir Billy Connolly himself, as Scotland’s largest dedicated comedy festival comes to a close.
Ms Dwyer becomes the fourth winner of GICF’s only award, with the festival working with the Big Yin to give out the trophy in his name, celebrating all that makes comedy and the city of Glasgow so entwined with Sir Billy Connolly.
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She joins Rosco McClelland (2025), Susie McCabe (2024) and Janey Godley (2023) as winners of the award.
In a personalised video message shown at the Gala to announce the winner, Sir Billy Connolly spoke from his home in Florida, saying: “Hello everybody, I hope you’re enjoying the Gala. Comedy’s come a long way when they give you Galas. Galas were for Bearsden people!”
Addressing the winner directly and referencing one of her jokes, Sir Billy Connolly said, “I’d like to congratulate the winner, Amanda Dwyer, who is superb and knows more about bum holes than I do. Have a ball – enjoy yourself!”
The comic took the top prize ahead of a six-strong shortlist which marked the most women ever nominated, as well as the first ever non-comic.
She said: “It means the world to me. My entire family are Billy Connolly fans – the first thing I’m going to do is phone my Dad. I’m definitely going to be the favourite child. ”
The full Shortlist included five female comedians and one venue owner and promoter: Amanda Dwyer (comedian), Chris Conway (comedy promoter and club owner), Kate Hammer (comedian), Kim Blythe (comedian), Susan Riddell (comedian) and Zara Gladman (comedian).
Festival Director Krista MacDonald said: “Amanda Dwyer is a comic who personifies the city she comes from in every way. Something Glaswegians are renowned for is finding humour even in dark times, and that is something Amanda does so deftly and thoughtfully in her comedy as she tackles the raw, and often traumatic, realities of being a woman. Amanda’s deadpan delivery and wicked sense of humour have been making waves in the Scottish comedy scene for the past 5 years, and her commitment to making comedy more welcoming for new female voices is just another way in which Amanda embodies the Spirit of Glasgow.
“Sir Billy Connolly continues to inspire new comics around the world, but especially in his hometown of Glasgow where his fearless creativity and generous spirit can be found around every corner. From bold new artists spanning the city’s cultural landscape to our endless desire to find humour in hard times – it is a city that the Big Yin made famous by travelling the world and telling his stories about us all. As ever, the GICF team are honoured to have Sir Billy involved in the Festival and to give out this award in his name – we thank him and his family for their time.
“We send our warmest congratulations to Amanda as the fourth ever winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award as well as to this year’s wonderful Shortlist who all reflect the heart and humour of the Festival, and of Glasgow. Amanda now joins Janey, Susie and Rosco in this prestigious list of winners who represent our city in the very best, and funniest, way they can.”
The Glaswegian was shortlisted for the first time, following her breakout autobiographical shows where she finds humour in even the darkest of places, and delves into the traumas of being a woman.
Ms Dwyer founded ‘Material, Girl’ – a monthly comedy show, and now hit podcast, with all female and non-binary line-ups at The Stand, in an effort to platform other female comics and create a welcoming space for women in comedy.
Hosted by Susie McCabe, the Gala welcomed stalwarts of the comedy scene including a surprise appearance from comedy duo Almost Angelic, plus solo sets from Karen Dunbar, Stuart Mitchell, Connor Burns and Fred MacAulay alongside rising Scottish stars Ifrah Qureshi and Jack Brookmyre.
The 2026 shortlist was chosen by a panel of judges from across Scotland’s cultural landscape, including broadcaster Edith Bowman, actor Gary Lamont, presenter Michelle McManus, actor and writer Greg Hemphill, 2025 winner Rosco McClelland and more. The judges collated the six-strong shortlist before sending a winner recommendation to Sir Billy Connolly, who makes the ultimate decision.
