Tom Towelling wins Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award
- Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award 2024 winner: Tom Towelling
- He says: "I'm really grateful for the award, I'm so chuffed"
- The judges commended Dom Bant on the confidence and strength of his material
Tom Towelling has won the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award 2024, the competition for West Midlands based acts.
The comic was picked out by the judges at the live final which took place last night (10th October) at The Glee Club, hosted by James Cook.
Born and raised in the Birmingham suburb of Hall Green, Towelling cut his teeth in various sketch troupes at university before forming a double-act, The Good Kids, with friend Kieran Flynn. Since 2023, he has focused on developing his solo career and this win follows on from his triumph at the Musical Comedy Awards in April.
The festival's organisers say: "In a stand-out performance, the award's judging panel were impressed by Tom's showmanship, unpredictability, and some impressive musical segments - including a surprising rendition of the National Anthem!"
Collecting his trophy - the festival's 'Mug Of Victory' - Tom said: "I feel ecstatic! It's been really great to see everyone else tonight, and to see the Birmingham comedy scene really thriving.
"I'm really grateful for the award, I'm so chuffed. Birmingham Comedy Festival has been such a massive part of my comedy journey; it provides an opportunity to take risks and a forum for comedians ... it's been such a gift."
Discussing his plans, Towelling, who works in education, added: "I would like to work this material into an hour long show which I could take around to other festivals then, in a few years, up to the Fringe [in Edinburgh]."
Meanwhile, the judges commended Dom Bant on the confidence and strength of his material. The comic, from Chelmsley Wood, now a resident of Coleshill, describes himself as a "38-year-old pole dancer". His deadpan set explored his relationship with his child, pondered signs for swingers, and looked at his favourite TV advert.
His commendation was only the third issued by the judging panel in the Breaking Talent Award's ten year history. This year's panel included The Glee Club founder Mark Tughan, Chortle editor Steve Bennett, Richard Wilford from BBCWM, comedy agent Hannah Martin, last year's winner Hasan Al-Habib, and a representative from the festival.
Also competing for the award were three other West Midlands acts. Rich Spalding (a University Of Birmingham graduate from Kidderminster, now living in London) declared he was a cautious man and "late bloomer" and touched on his relationship with billionaires; Gareth Williams (from Shropshire, now resident in Birmingham) voiced concerns about turning 30 and recalled incidents with pets, as well as the challenges of quitting smoking; and Lin Smith (from Worcester) confessed to being "a terrible lesbian" and pondered the challenges of corporate days out.
The Birmingham Comedy Festival team said: "It's tough to select a winner when the standard of acts coming out of the region is so high, and also so varied. But the judges agreed that Tom's approach to comedy was exciting, unexpected, buzzing with energy, and showed great potential, making him a worthy winner. We can't wait to see how Tom develops.
"The judging panel also recognised that Dom had a lot to offer too. Delivering a nicely constructed 10 minute set with some unexpected turns, they were keen to ensure he was recognised with a commendation."