Achi news desk-
The award honors criteria that the city of Glasgow and Sir Billy Connolly represent from resilience to openness and of course, a sense of humour.
Sir Billy Connolly himself sent a personalized message to Susie McCabe as the award winner on his behalf via video message from his home in Florida, saying: “Congratulations Susie – I’m sorry I can’t be in Glasgow, it’s for a million reasons.
“I watched you on TV and I was blown away. It’s been lovely to watch your style, that Glasgow style of comedy – it’s brilliant, I loved it. You great so keep it up!”
Festival Director Krista MacDonald, GICF headliner Elaine C Smith and 2023 winner Janey Godley presented Susie McCabe with the glass trophy, which is engraved with a famous self-portrait of Sir Billy Connolly.
READ MORE: Glasgow Comedy Festival reveals Billy Connolly award shortlist
Festival Director Krista MacDonald said: “Susie McCabe is one of Scotland’s most outstanding comedy exporters, having entertained audiences in her home town and beyond for over 15 years.
“From her very first show with GICF in 2013 in a 60 seater Drama to three huge shows at the King’s Theater this year, Susie epitomizes everything good about Glasgow and its comedy scene; she has a generosity of spirit in spades and is unapologetic in her comedy, but manages to be warm, inclusive, active, capable and at her very core, funny.
“Sir Billy Connolly has helped audiences and comics find joy and laughter even when times are bleak, representing the very best of comedy itself and the very best of this city – so he We are honored to have the Big Yin himself as part of the Festival. like this.
“A worthy winner of our second ever Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award, the GICF team sends our biggest congratulations to Susie.”
A panel of judges met to consider the Shortlist of six before sending a recommendation to Sir Billy Connolly, who made the final decision on the final winner.
Joining Susie McCabe on the 2024 Shortlist were Craig Hill, Raymond Mearns, Rosco McClelland, Susan Riddell, and Zara Gladman, all of whom appeared at the Comedy Gala to celebrate GICF’s biggest year yet.
Hosted by Susie McCabe, the Gala delivered the very best of the festival, with sets from some of Scotland’s most beloved comics including Craig Hill, Raymond Mearns and Janey Godley, alongside Jin-Hao Li, Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Zara Gladman, Susan Riddell, Stuart McPherson, Rosco McClelland and Billy Kirkwood.
The Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award was presented as part of the Gala finale.
Introduced in 2023, the prestigious award in honor of Sir Billy Connolly seeks to reward an individual who most personifies the Spirit of Glasgow.
