Rosco McClelland won the Sir Billy Connolly “Spirit of Glasgow” prize at this year at the city’s comedy festival.
Glaswegian’s comic strip received a special Sir Billy video message when he won his prize.
By referring to a joke that McClelland tells slugs in garbage cans, Sir Billy said to him: “Congratulations to Rosco McClelland – The Slug Nudger! Bravo.”
The prize was announced during the festival comedy gala show, held at King’s Theater.
McClelland said that he felt delighted and honored to raise a prize named after and judged by Sir Billy.
He told BBC Scotland News: “Knowing that the big yin himself saw me doing stand-up is incredible.
“I started about 10 years ago and I never thought it would happen to something like that. So I am so happy and happy.
“It’s amazing to know that you are loved and respected and people appreciate your work.”
He added: “I was a plumber and then one day I thought, I’m tired of making money – let’s have a career in the arts. A terrible idea but it is bearing fruit now.”
The previous winners of the prize were the actors of Glasgow Susie McCabe and the late Janey Godley.
McCabe was joined by the icon of the Scottish Comedy Elaine C. Smith to give this year’s prize.
A panel of judges from various domains debated the winner before sending his reflections to Sir Billy, who then made the final decision.
Sir Billy told McClelland: “I wish you all the best, I hope that your career will rebound by force in force and that the humor of Glasgow goes from force to force, as he will do.”
Andrew DownieThe prize, awarded in 2023, is intended to reward a person who most personifies “the spirit of Glasgow”.
Craig Hill, Kim Blythe, Marjolein Robertson, Paul Black, Scott Agnew and Viv Gee.
The director of the Glasgow Comedy Festival Krista Macdonald, described McClelland as “one of the most brilliant comic voices in Scotland” that have diverted the public for more than a decade.
She added: “To see a local Glaswegian talent like Rosco, being honored with the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Prize in 2025 is a real testimony to her hard work and her commitment to her job.
“Rosco embodies everything that is exceptional about Glasgow and his comedy scene; a bold and courageous brand of comedy, unrivaled resilience and warmth and, above all, a flawless desire to make people laugh.”
