Willow Marler comedy has made history at the Comedy Store: the Worcester-based newcomer is the first trans comedian to win Comedy Bloomers’ LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year.
Performing to a packed London crowd, Willow took the title and cash prize after a set that turned coming out in IKEA, laser hair removal, misgendering and “Woke Cluedo” into material that had the room roaring.
The judges, comedians Chloe Petts, Tia Kofi, James Barr and Josh Jones, chose Willow from a line-up of ten finalists. Glasgow comedian Scout Robertson was named runner-up, impressing the panel with dark humour and deft timing.
Willow Marler comedy finds its audience
For Willow, the win comes after a difficult period and a relatively recent turn towards stand-up.
“It’s not easy being trans, particularly at a time when we’re being silenced, marginalised and subjected to so much hatred,” she said. “But the one thing I love about comedy is that I get to have a mic, I get to be on stage, and people just have to listen to me talking about being trans.”
She added: “Last year I went through a very difficult time with my mental health, but taking up stand-up comedy has completely turned things around for me. And now I’ve won the LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year and it feels absolutely amazing!”
Judge James Barr praised the way Willow’s material challenged its audience. “Comedy is at its best when it’s a protest and when it’s saying something,” he said. “I genuinely believe that comedy is helping us move forward as a society, and Willow’s comedy is doing exactly that.”
Now in its fifth year, the competition received more than 140 entries from across the UK. Created by Comedy Bloomers founder Chris Smith, it gives emerging LGBTQ+ comics a chance to develop their material and get in front of audiences and the wider comedy industry. We covered the search for this year’s finalists in our earlier Comedy Bloomers 2026 story.
And if you missed the final, there’s good news. For the first time, the performances will be available to watch for free on YouTube, giving Willow, Scout and their fellow finalists a chance to reach new audiences beyond the room.
Viewers will also have the option to donate to the competition’s charity partner, Rainbow Migration.
LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year 2026 performances will be available free from 21 November on the Comedy Bloomers YouTube channel. For future shows and updates, visit Comedy Bloomers.
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