Big Comedy Conference video: Avenues to success

Writing a hit sitcom may be the ultimate aim for many, but it's highly unlikely to be the first line on your CV. From podcasts to social media, gag-writing and sketches to the radio and other non-narrative formats, this session from Big Comedy Conference 2024 delved into the wide variety of ways to navigate the comedy waters, develop your skills, find collaborators, find fans - and get noticed by those all-important gatekeepers. It may just open your eyes to a pathway you'd not previously considered.

Hosted by producer and presenter Jon Holmes, the panellists are Rosie Holt, Lindsay Sharman, Katie Storey, Pete Strauss and Ben Wicks. Their full biographies are below.

Rosie Holt

Rosie is an acclaimed comedian, actor and satirist, whose popular videos of her playing an MP on social media have achieved more than 7 million views. She is the host of the Aria nominated podcast Noncensored, and has been seen/heard on The Russell Howard Hour (Sky Max), Friday Night with Niall Paterson (Sky News), BBC Radio 4's The News Quiz, DMs Are Open, POV, Please Use Other Door and Ashley Blaker: 6.5 Children.

Lindsay Sharman

Lindsay has worked as a performer, writer and theatre producer. She has created seven original Fringe shows, garnering a raft of 5 star reviews, and toured the country in both her own and others' productions. In her collaboration with Laurence Owen, she has written five theatre productions, including the award-winning Cinemusical. Lindsay is the writer and director of various podcasts, including Mockery Manor, which was shortlisted for a comedy prize in the BBC Audio Awards 2024.

Katie Storey

Katie is an experienced comedy writer with numerous credits across television, radio and live comedy. She is a regular contributor to topical shows such as The Last Leg, Have I Got News For You, The Now Show and The News Quiz. Her recent credits also include Glenn Moore's Almanac (Radio 4), The Unofficial Science Of... (Sky), Stand Up To Cancer (Channel 4) and Mel Giedroyc: Unforgivable (Dave). She has a number of her own projects in development too, including a feature film script and a scripted pilot for BBC Radio 4.

Pete Strauss

Pete is an award-winning executive producer at BBC Studios Audio. He's worked across multiple shows during his time at BBC Studios including Rhysearch, Laura Smyth: I Don't Know What To Say, The Now Show and BBC Radio Fjord. Before that, he was the co-creator and head writer of The Stand Up Sketch Show for ITV2.