Barbie star Rooney judge for Glasgow comedy prize

Sharon Rooney will be among the judges for the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow award

Barbie star Sharon Rooney will be among the judges for the biggest prize at the upcoming Glasgow International Comedy Festival.

The Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award is given to a person judged to embody the city, whether a performing comedian, venue worker or a promoter.

Rooney will join other judges including the Mayflies actor Tony Curran and last year's award winner Janey Godley in selecting a shortlist that will be presented to Sir Billy to decide on.

The prize will be handed out at a gala event on the penultimate day of the event, 30 March.

Rooney, a Bafta Scotland winner for the TV show My Mad Fat Diary, said she was "so excited" to take part.

She added: "Glasgow’s comedy scene is one of the best, and as a proud Glaswegian it's a joy to watch it get bigger and better each year."

Also on the judging panel are the veteran comedian and actor Jonathan Watson, Glasgow’s Lord Provost Jacqueline McLaren and a number of figures from the Scottish media.

The award is named in honour of Sir Billy Connolly

Curran, who will be seen soon on screen with Oscar-winning actress Julianne Moore in TV drama Mary & George, said that Glasgow's sense of humour was "one of a kind" and that he was delighted to be involved.

The award will officially be handed out at the Comedy Gala event on Saturday, 30 March at the King's Theatre, where performers from several sold-out shows at the festival will take to the stage again.

Festival director Krista MacDonald said: “With the presentation of the Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award, GICF celebrates those participating in the festival who embody characteristics defined so well by Sir Billy Connolly, and of Glasgow itself.

"Being funny, of course, but also to be self-starting, mould-breaking, bold and brave, curious and challenging, warm but tough, proud but unpretentious and open to all."

Frank Skinner is among the acts appearing at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival

This year's festival is the biggest in the event's 21-year history, with a total of 560 events taking place across 18 days, running from 13-31 March .

Among those set to appear are the award-winning comedian Frank Skinner, popular podcast All Killa No Filla and American comic Caroline Rhea, best known for her TV role in teen show Sabrina the Teenage Witch.