Christopher Macarthur-Boyd Crowned Comedy's Next Big Thing

Glasgow-based comedian Christopher Macarthur-Boyd has been awarded the prestigious 2026 Next Big Thing award, an accolade established by the British Comedy Guide to spotlight emerging comedic talent. The award aims to recognise acts deserving of greater public and media attention.

Key Takeaways

• Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, known for his thoughtful and self-deprecating style, has been named the 2026 Next Big Thing.

• The award, organised by the British Comedy Guide, seeks to elevate comedians deserving of wider recognition.

• Macarthur-Boyd was surprised with the news during a performance at Always Be Comedy in South London.

• He was selected from a shortlist of five talented comedians, including Bella Hull, Gbemi Oladipo, Lorna Rose Treen, and Mike Rice.

A Star Emerges

Christopher Macarthur-Boyd, a comedian already well-regarded in his native Scotland, has been recognised with the 2026 Next Big Thing award. The prize, created by the British Comedy Guide, is designed to shine a spotlight on comedians poised for significant career advancement. Macarthur-Boyd, who describes himself as a 'sad, specky guy with a tote bag', is known for his insightful and humorous take on life.

A Surprise Announcement

The comedian received the news of his win while on stage at Always Be Comedy in South London, immediately after completing his set. The announcement was made by host Amy Annette, leaving a visibly stunned Macarthur-Boyd to quip about the potential embarrassment had his performance been subpar.

The Nominees

Macarthur-Boyd was chosen from a shortlist of five nominees, all of whom were lauded by the judging panel. The other contenders included Bella Hull, a regular on "Have I Got News For You"; Gbemi Oladipo, described as a "powerhouse presence"; Lorna Rose Treen, noted as "buzziest of the buzzy"; and Irish comedian Mike Rice, who calls himself a "cruel little man". Macarthur-Boyd expressed his admiration for all his fellow nominees, calling them "absolutely hilarious comedians" and "really brilliant acts".

Addressing Overlooked Talent

Macarthur-Boyd has been a vocal advocate for Scottish comedians, highlighting how they are often overlooked by the media and awards bodies, and challenging the notion that relocating to London is essential for career progression in the arts. The Daily Record had previously noted his potential, stating he was "on the cusp of something big" back in 2016. More recently, Entertainment Now suggested he has "major worldwide household name potential".

The Award's Purpose

Mark Muldoon, founder of the Next Big Thing award, explained its inception: "I created this award because of comedy’s bottleneck problem - a huge pool of fantastic UK talent who aren’t getting the career opportunities they deserve." He also commented on the potential for overlooked talent from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, noting that Macarthur-Boyd was the most voted-for act in the initial industry poll.

Critical Acclaim

Macarthur-Boyd's current UK and Ireland tour, "Howling At The Moon", has received rave reviews, with The Scotsman reporting that audiences were "roaring with laughter from start to finish". The New York Times praised his "seriously fine-tuned" act and "offbeat humor turned up to 11". His show, which explores themes of break-ups, relationships, mental health, and societal issues, has been described by Chortle as "another assured, delightful and frequently hilarious hour".

Sources

• Comedy's Next Big Thing Award Winner Revealed, Beyond The Joke.

• Christopher Macarthur-Boyd named as comedy's Next Big Thing : News 2026 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide, Chortle.