Dutch Barn Spirit of Comedy hosted by Red Richardson

New comedy competition for 2025: 

‘Dutch Barn Spirit of Comedy’ launches to find the UK’s next best stand up comedian

The new progressive ‘Spirit of Comedy’ competition launched on 9th April 2025, with multiple regional rounds reaching all 4 corners of the UK, and a grand final taking place in October 2025. 

Co-owned by Ricky Gervais, Dutch Barn vodka is a premium vodka brand distilled from British apples in Yorkshire – and they’re committed to helping their drinkers have a laugh.

Every guest attending a Spirit of Comedy event will be welcomed with a complementary Dutch Barn serve.

Applicants will be able to apply online from 1st April 2025, submitting a short clip of their comedy. 

• First round: May-July 2025, including 20 towns and cities across the UK

• Second Round: August-September, including 5 towns and cities across the UK

• Final round: October 2025. 

Judging will include a mix of online consumer voting and expert panels, with entrants being required to take to the stage for 1-10 minutes across the various rounds.

Dutch Barn Vodka promises each comic who takes the stage a bottle of their award-winning vodka as a prize, with other cash prizes to be announced. 

The event will be hosted by Red Richardson

Red Richardson is an internationally renowned stand up comedian, writer, and actor. His ‘Stay Toxic’ videos have well over a hundred million views on Instagram alone and his stand up shows sell out theatres and comedy clubs across the globe. In 2024 Red embarked on his Bugatti live tour, which he took to America with venues selling out months in advance and extra shows being added in every city of The UK and Ireland. He sold out London's iconic Shepherd’s Bush Empire and added
Australian dates due to demand in what is now at the time of writing, a 90-date global sell out tour.