The Top 12 Hottest Comedians Who Could Be The Future Stars of FM Radio

There’s a huge list of comedians who have successfully made the transition from comedy to radio.

Names like Tony Martin, Wendy Harmer, Mick Molloy, Tim Ross, Marty Sheargold, Tommy Little and Merrick Watts just to name a few.

A comedian’s timing and ad lib ability often translates well to radio. The live comedy circuit is a tough testing ground for comics and has proven to be a consistent source for radio talent.

As well as comedians appearing live on stage, one of today’s best platforms for exposure is YouTube, with many new young comics easily achieving over a million views. Some achieving tens of millions!

The YouTube platform is the perfect vehicle for comics and some of these comedians eventually will find their way onto radio shows.

Here are some of the comedians who, with the right coaching, direction, drive and desire could make the transition to FM radio.

These are the ones to watch out for:

1. Ben Jenkins

A writer and comedian, he runs Story Club, a format he created for Project 52. Ben writes for The Chaser and is currently appearing on ABC’s The Checkout. His podcasts with Michael Hing are well worth checking out.

2. Josh Earl

32 years old and originally from Tasmania, Josh was host of Spicks and Speck on the ABC. He’s been on radio RRR Melbourne, triple j and 774 ABC. A strong emerging talent, Josh is one to look out for.

3. Alex Williamson

Alex has a big profile via YouTube. He’s worked at SAFM Adelaide, is also an actor and co-hosted Hot Hits. Alex hails from Adelaide and was a finalist in Triple J's Raw Comedy Award in 2009.

4.  Ciel

Previously on SeaFM Central Coast, Ciel was a writer for Australia’s Funniest Home Videos and has guest hosted on 2DayFM and Triple M. It should now be time for a second run at radio for Ciel .

5. Josh Wade

Only 19 years old, he’s originally from Townsville. Josh has had over six million YouTube views and is listed in the Top 100 Australian YouTubers with over 15 million social media views.

6.  Tegan Higginbotham

An actor/writer/comedian from Melbourne. She’s performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival countless times and has been on numerous TV shows including Thank God You're Here and Spick and Specks.

7.  Celia Pacquola

Now comedy’s hottest property , she’s appeared on FoxFM, ABC radio and the BBC. Celia’s also appeared on numerous TV shows including The Project, and Have You Been Paying Attention?

8.  Damien Power

One of the rising stars of comedy. He sold out at last year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival and could now be ready to make the transition to radio. Damian’s been nominated for Best Comedy and Australia’s Best Emerging Comedian.

9.  Michael Workman

He was crowned National Champion at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2009, he received impressive reviews at last year’s Sydney Comedy Festival. Michael was recently a writer for ABC’s Tractor Monkeys 

10. Neel Kolhatkar

One of the youngest on the list, Neel has had over 18 million views across YouTube and Facebook. Also a rapper, singer and dancer, he’s appeared at the New York Comedy Festival

11.  Dan Ilic

A brilliant talent, Dan’s appeared on radio at Fbi, triple j, 702 ABC and Austereo. He could be just as strong off the air in an EP/Producers role as he is on the air performing.

12.  Michael Hing

From Sydney’s Sutherland Shire, has performed at Sydney & Melbourne Comedy Festivals. Michael co-founded and hosts Project 52 which provides a range of comedy performances across a variety of formats. Has appeared on Can of Worms, and his podcasts with Ben Jenkins can be heard on iTunes.

And a some other names worth mentioning:

Tom Ballard– after seven years on triple j breakfast, he could be ready for commercial radio

Amos Gill – at 22, one of the hottest young comedians in Australia.

Joel Creasey – a very funny guy, has worked at 92.9 and Nova Perth

Jacques Barrett – has previously appeared on 2DayFM and the Footy show.

Brad March is a Director of Radio Today, is a former CEO and Group Program Director of Austereo and has been named Media Executive of the Year