Grace Mulvey awarded Galton & Simpson Bursary 2020

Grace Mulvey has been announced as the 2020 recipient of the Galton & Simpson Bursary for Comedy Writing.

The bursary, a collaboration between the BBC and the Mental Health Foundation, aims to support up-and-coming writers. This was the inaugural year of the scheme, which is named in memory of comedy writing stars Ray Galton and Alan Simpson, the latter of whom was born on this date in 1929.

The BBC explains: "Grace is a stand-up comedian and improviser, who started her comedy career performing at Mob Theatre in her native Dublin as part of the improv team Mr Me Cocos and is also a writer and actor in sketch comedy double act Curved Comedy. Grace was a finalist in the Vodafone Irish Comedian of the Year 2017 and was the headline act for the opening night of Ireland's biggest festival, Electric Picnic before being included in Funny Women's Ones to Watch 2019.

More than 2,500 scripts were submitted for consideration for the 2020 bursary.

Speaking about coming out top of the pile, Mulvey says: "I am absolutely floored and beyond delighted to have won this bursary. Galton & Simpson epitomised the idea that comedy can be found in the toughest of times and we need comedy now more than ever. My dream of being a comedy writer now feels real."

Launched in April 2020, the bursary awards £5,500 to the winner to develop a script for broadcast consideration, as well as offering guidance and career support from established industry professionals and the BBC Comedy Commissioning team.

BBC comedy controller Shane Allen comments: "Grace has achieved that winning combo of writing a raucously funny script first and foremost as well as shining a fresh light on areas and themes in life comedy hasn't delved in to before. She's a tremendously exciting new voice and a deserving recipient of the inaugural bursary in the name of two of comedy's founding fathers."

The BBC also revealed the names of the other writers they shortlisted:

- Annabel Brightling
- Tess Carruthers
- Gareth Cunliffe & Chris Hannon
- Kevin Curtis
- Jon Stapley & Aaron Simmonds

Details regarding the next bursary scheme will be announced in due course.