The Glasgow International Comedy Festival has announced its lineup of special guests for the upcoming spring event.
It will feature shows across every genre of comedy, including traditional stand-up, live podcasts, clowning, improv, theatre, kids' shows, musicals, and more, as part of Glasgow's 850 celebrations in 2025.
The 19-day festival, which takes place between March 12 and March 30, will see comedians and artists such as Fern Brady, Ashley Storrie, Stuart Braithwaite, Chris Brookmyre, and Alison Spittle, among others, performing across the city.
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The festival will take over venues such as the King's Theatre and Blackfriars.
A special event, Books and Banter with Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon, will see multi-BAFTA award-winning comic and actress Ashley Storrie, and one of the UK’s leading crime authors, Chris Brookmyre, discussing their favourite and least favourite books.
The event will take place at the King's Theatre on March 22.
"As much as I’m excited to talk to Val and Nicola about this, it is giving me flashbacks to when the headmistress found my fanfiction in third year and I had to have a meeting with her and my mum- so aye… should be fun."
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Chris Brookmyre added: "I'm now the second member of my family to be taking part in this year's GICF, though I can't promise I'll be as funny as my son, Jack.
"Nonetheless, I'm really looking forward to being the meat in this literary sandwich, and talking books in such an esteemed venue as the King's Theatre is a bucket-list-level thrill."
Scottish comedy podcast Material, Girl hosted by Susan Riddell and Amanda Dwyer, will host a live show featuring Fern Brady and Alison Spittle as special guests on March 17.
Fern Brady, who is also hosting her own solo show I Gave You Milk to Drink at the festival, said: "As a regular listener to Material Girl I’m buzzing I now get to be part of the show with my best pal Alison Spittle."
The festival will also feature a roast battle, spearheaded by Irish comedian Ryan Cullen, with the late-night show taking place at Blackfriars on March 28.
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Comedy fans can also look forward to the first hometown show for Here Comes the Guillotine with hosts Frankie Boyle, Susie McCabe, and Christopher Macarthur-Boyd at the SEC Armadillo.
The festival will also see the graduates of the 2024 Introduction to Comedy Course performing at First Time Funnies - Class of 2024.
The event will take place at Oran Mor on March 23, with a special guest appearance from course teacher and comedy legend Viv Gee.
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BBC Radio Scotland’s panel show Breaking the News will host three live shows at GICF, featuring comedians such as Susie McCabe, Marjolein Robertson, Gareth Waugh, and Liam Withnail every Thursday during the festival.
A tribute event for Janey Godley, the first-ever winner of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award, will take place at the King's Theatre on March 23, with proceeds going to Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre and the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice.
With more than 550 shows lined up, the festival promises something for everyone, with performances from Fern Brady, Larry Dean, Russell Kane, Susie McCabe, Paddy McDonnell, and many more.
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