Rosco McClelland wins Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award
- The Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award 2025 goes to Rosco McClelland
- Connolly said to him: "Well done - I had a good laugh at your thing about the slugs in the bin"
- McClelland says: "To know that the Big Yin has seen me do my silly wee bits of stand-up is insane"
Stand-up comic Rosco McClelland has been announced as the 2025 winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award.
The comedian collected his trophy onstage at the King's Theatre as part of Glasgow International Comedy Festival's Comedy Gala on Sunday night, following a touching video message from Sir Billy Connolly himself.
The only award given by GICF, this is the third year of the prize. The previous winners are Susie McCabe (2024) and Janey Godley (2023). Rosco McClelland took home the prize ahead of a seven-strong shortlist that also included Craig Hill, Kim Blythe, Marjolein Robertson, Paul Black, Scott Agnew and Viv Gee.
Sir Billy Connolly said in his video message: "Hello everybody, it's Billy Connolly here. I've just been enjoying your comedy at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, the level is very high..."
Addressing the winner directly, Connolly referenced one of Rosco's most famous jokes, saying: "Congratulations to Rosco McClelland - the slug nudger! Well done - I had a good laugh at your thing about the slugs in the bin. I wish you all the very best, I hope your career goes bouncing from strength to strength and that the Glasgow humour goes bounding from strength to strength, as it will. Congratulations."
Rosco McClelland said: "I honestly can't believe this, I never thought about anything to say but I'm going to Fuerteventura tomorrow so I'm looking forward to that!
"Thank you so much - to join the list of people who have won, Janey and Susie, is incredible. To know that the Big Yin has seen me do my silly wee bits of stand-up is insane, that's the real prize in this. Just to hear him say my name, I can't believe this, he's the best to ever do it. Thank you to my family, everybody at Glasgow International Comedy Festival, and my agents. To everybody else who was nominated - they're fantastic comedian and fantastic people. Cheers!"
Festival director Krista MacDonald, 2024 winner Susie McCabe and comedy actor Elaine C Smith presented the award - a glass trophy etched with Sir Billy Connolly's famous self-portrait.
Krista MacDonald said: "Rosco McClelland is one of Scotland's brightest comedic voices and has been entertaining audiences for over a decade with his unique look at the absurdities of everyday life. After being nominated for awards like Best Newcomer back in 2015, to see a homegrown Glaswegian talent like Rosco be honoured with 2025's Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award is a real testament to his hard work and commitment to his craft. Rosco embodies all that is exceptional about Glasgow and its comedy scene; a bold and brave brand of comedy, an unparalleled resilience and warmth and, above all else, an unfailing desire to make people laugh.
"Sir Billy Connolly is a comic who has shaped and defined Glasgow's cultural identity, and reflected the very best of this city back to audiences around the world. To have the Big Yin involved in the festival in this way and for us to distribute an award in his name is a real honour.
"The GICF team send our warmest congratulations to Rosco as the winner of the third ever Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award, as well as this year's outstanding shortlist, who are all a shining representation of the strength of Scottish comedy."
The 2025 judging panel was comprised of radio presenter Aarti Joshi; Emmy award winning actor Alan Cumming; Clyde 1 radio presenter Cassi Gilespie; Still Game star Greg Hemphill; The Herald journalist Gregor Kyle; Glasgow's Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren; entertainment journalist Laura Boyd; Channel 4's Digital Commissioning Editor Laura Marks; Lost Glasgow journalist Norry Wilson; actor and comedian Sanjeev Kohli; and 2024's winner Susie McCabe.