Tom I has been named as one of just five young writers shortlisted for the prestigious 2026 BBC Young Writers’ Award with the University of Cambridge.
Tom (16), who is in B, was selected from hundreds of entries for his short story Funny, which explores the darker side of being the class clown and the ways in which humour can sometimes mask loneliness and a desire for connection.
The story follows a young boy who turns to jokes and pranks as a way of coping with the loss of his father and making his classmates laugh. But as his attempts to entertain those around him go too far, the consequences become increasingly serious.
Judges praised Tom’s mature exploration of peer pressure and psychological bullying, as well as the story’s originality and “unique voice”. His interest in screenwriting was also noted, lending Funny a distinctive cinematic quality.
The five shortlisted writers were announced live on BBC Radio 1’s Life Hacks on Sunday 13 September.
Lauren Layfield, Radio 1 presenter and Chair of the 2026 judging panel, said the five stories had been chosen for their “confidence and creativity”, with this year’s writers tackling subjects ranging from artificial intelligence and conflict to peer pressure and friendship.
She added that the shortlist was another reminder that “the future of storytelling is bright”.
The judging panel also included Lily Fontaine, lead singer of Mercury Music Prize-winning band English Teacher; bestselling children’s author David Almond; Carnegie Medal-winning author Margaret McDonald; and Waterstones Children’s Book Prize winner Nathanael Lessore.
Dr Bonnie Lander Johnson, Fellow, Lecturer and Director of Studies at the University of Cambridge, praised the quality and ambition of this year’s shortlisted work, describing the young writers as “artists in their own right” who are engaging with the world around them with wit, energy and originality.
Now in its twelfth year, the BBC Young Writers’ Award with the University of Cambridge invites young people aged 14 to 18 from across the UK to submit an original short story of up to 1,000 words.
Tom’s achievement places him among some of the country’s most promising young writers, and Funny, alongside the other shortlisted stories, is available to listen to through the BBC National Short Story Award podcast on BBC Sounds.
Congratulations to Tom on an outstanding achievement.
