Nominees for the inaugural Sir Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award have been announced ahead of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival closing gala.
An independent panel has chosen six comedians who they believe personify the Spirit of Glasgow with the winner - who has been chosen by Sir Billy himself - set to be announced on Sunday.
Paul Black, Scott Agnew, Janey Godley, Craig Hill, Kieran Hodgson, and Susie McCabe are all in the running for the honour.
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Speaking about the award, Sir Billy Connolly said: "Glasgow defies description. Many great men and women have tried to describe its spirit and failed miserably.
"What do you say about a town that dances, sings, plays, and jokes differently from everybody else? The winner of this Award will have to be a nutter like me…"
The panel comprised of Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren; Herald editor Catherine Salmond; broadcaster Janice Forsyth; STV’s Laura Boyd; radio presenter and podcaster Aarti Joshi; Lost Glasgow’s Norry Wilson; Channel 4’s Laura Marks; and comedian/actors Sanjeev Kohli, Greg Hemphill, Elaine C Smith, and Karen Dunbar.
Out of 37 nominations, the judges have shortlisted six nominees and made a recommendation to Sir Billy Connolly, who will ultimately decide the winner of the award in his name.
Festival Director Krista MacDonald commented on the nominees: "It is so exciting to be able to announce the nominees for the inaugural Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award.
"We are so proud that we have the opportunity to celebrate the spirit of our city shown in the Glasgow International Comedy Festival and in the name of the Big Yin.
"The judges have been wonderful and we are so grateful for their time and help in shortlisting the nominees - the strength of whom really prove that no one does comedy like Glasgow.”
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