MA Comedy Writing student secures role as comedy writer for BBC Studios

Jade Gebbie is currently studying MA Comedy Writing (Online) and will take up the prestigious one-year contract writing on BBC comedy productions including flagship Radio 4 shows The Now Show, The News Quiz and Dead Ringers.

The role of contract writer at BBC Studios has a rich legacy, with origins in the 1978 Radio Comedy Writer Bursary which boasts an impressive list of alumni including Guy Jenkin (Outnumbered), Rob Grant and Doug Naylor (Red Dwarf) and Simon Blackwell and Georgia Pritchett (The Thick of It). 

MA Comedy Writing (Online) student Jade is one of just two writers to secure the prestigious year-long contract in 2022, giving her the opportunity to write across a variety of audio comedy shows produced by BBC Studios Audio, including sketch shows, panel games and podcasts, alongside topical series, in addition to pitching ideas for her own series. 

Jade already has an impressive CV, with writing credits for Newsjack, Breaking the News, and having her material featured on BBC Upload. She also performs stand-up and was a semi-finalist in the 2020 Komedia New Act competition.   

Jade studied Radio Production and graduated in 2011 before taking a break to travel to New Zealand, Australia and South America. On her return she found her passion for comedy and has since been working on learning as much as possible, leading her to take on the Comedy Writing MA here at Falmouth. 

I am so pleased I am doing this course. I feel I have learnt so much from it and still have a year to go!

Jade said: "I'm extremely excited to have been selected to be a contract writer at BBC Studios. As a comic with a strong passion for radio, I'm thrilled this will be my job for the next year. I can't wait to learn as much as possible and hone my craft. After working from home since March 2020, I'm also looking forward to some much-needed human interaction!"

On her experience as a Falmouth student, Jade told us: "I am so pleased I am doing this course. I feel I have learnt so much from it and still have a year to go! I have met some talented people who I enjoy working with and look forward to continuing these relationships post-graduation. My writing has improved so much since starting this course and I have Simon and the tutors to thank for that.”  

Josh Cole, Head of Comedy, BBC Studios Comedy Productions said: “With alumni including the likes of Georgia Pritchett, Simon Blackwell and Andy Wolton, there is a fantastic heritage to this role, and we’re so pleased to be welcoming a new generation with the talented Jade.” 

Multi-award-winning TV and audio comedy producer Simon Nicholls leads the MA Comedy Writing course. He told us: "I'm so pleased for Jade. She is an excellent student, and a joy to work with. By securing this BBC contract, Jade has clearly shown her huge potential as a comedy writer. This is also a big thumbs up for the hard work my team of tutors and I put into making the Comedy MA a fun, challenging and stimulating academic course - an MA that has clear links to success in the industry." 

Find out more about MA Comedy Writing (Online)