The Big Difference Company, the charity that ran Leicester Comedy Festival for more than three decades, has ceased trading after becoming insolvent, casting doubt over the future of one of the UK's biggest comedy festivals. The collapse follows weeks of financial trouble, including a serious incident report to the Charity Commission, unpaid comedians after this year's event, and the repossession of an arts venue managed by the charity. Directors cited rising costs, a difficult funding climate and pressure across the live comedy sector as reasons for the closure, apologising to staff, performers and creditors affected.

Leicester City Council has pledged to work with local promoters, venues and its own festivals and De Montfort Hall teams to stage an interim comedy programme in 2027 while a longer-term solution is sought. The festival, founded in 1994, has hosted major names including Harry Hill, Matt Lucas, Graham Norton, Sarah Millican and Alan Carr. Former staff and city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby both expressed sadness at the news, with staff saying they were "stunned and heartbroken", while the council stressed it could not cover the charity's debts but was committed to keeping the festival alive.