RESULTS IN…
2024 WINNER: LUKE TOULSON
RUNNER-UP: AMIR KHOSHSOKHAN
3RD PLACE: FINLAY CHRISTIE
Our nine finalists have been confirmed for Liverpool on Weds 27 November when they’ll be battling it out for the £10,001 grand prize! There are still some ticket savailable, to find out more and get yours please click HERE…
Anyway, let’s meet these fab finalists…
JAMES COOK
How would you describe yourself as a comedian (in 28 words or less)…
Probably quite well if I really thought about it. Don’t think I’d need all 28 words though.
What do you love, and hate, most about being a comedian?
Love – everything about it. Hanging out with other comics. Thinking up funny stuff. Sharing it with an audience. It’s brilliant and I never want to do anything else. Hate – late night road closures. Not funny, but true. My worst day as a comedian is still a thousand times better than my best day in any other job I’ve had.
Before you go on stage do you have any rituals or routines?
Burn some sage to cleanse my aura while singing Modern Major General. Then have a massive piss.
Finally, what will you do with the cash if you win?
Straight to the track and double it. Now to spend the best part of 6 days worrying about trains. 🙂
FINLAY CHRISTIE
How would you describe yourself as a comedian (in 28 words or less)…
I like taking the piss out of old people.
What do you love, and hate, most about being a comedian?
I love the gruelling but fulfilling process of writing a routine. I hate getting trains to gigs, because they never fucking work.
Before you go on stage do you have any rituals or routines?
I drink lots of water and often a half-pint of whatever’s on draught. I pace relentlessly backstage. I enter the green room and look up at the walls, plastered with images comedians who’ve trodden the boards before me. I think to myself “Look at these arseholes.”
Finally, what will you do with the cash if you win?
Pay off a small share of American debt.
MONICA HSUEH
How would you describe yourself as a comedian (in 28 words or less)…
My style is offbeat, sarcastic and punchy. I love sharing my experience of straddling the subtleties of three cultures with the audience through laughter.
What do you love, and hate, most about being a comedian?
It’s a job full of ups and downs, but the connection with the audience makes it all worth it.
Before you go on stage do you have any rituals or routines?
I always go for a walk before a gig and make sure I have my water bottle and my headphones.
Finally, what will you do with the cash if you win?
Put my heating on full blast for the next six months.
AMIR KHOSHSOKHAN
How would you describe yourself as a comedian (in 28 words or less)…
Inconsistent
What do you love, and hate, most about being a comedian?
Love – some of the people you meet and some of the places you travel to
Hate – some of the people you meet and some of the places you travel to
Before you go on stage do you have any rituals or routines?
Have a nap
Finally, what will you do with the cash if you win?
Bitcoin lol
MARTIN DURCHOV
How would you describe yourself as a comedian (in 28 words or less)…
Self-deprecating London based Bulgarian comedian talking about his experience as an immigrant.
What do you love, and hate, most about being a comedian?
Love meeting and entertaining audiences all over the country. Hate meeting and entertaining audiences all over the country.
Before you go on stage do you have any rituals or routines?
Sometimes I will sacrifice a virgin, but it’s not really ritualistic or a routine.
Finally, what will you do with the cash if you win?
Either buy a British passport or pay for my wedding next year
LUKE TOULSON
How would you describe yourself as a comedian…
Improving.
What do you love, and hate, most about being a comedian?
LOVE: When something shit happens to me, I know there’s a future joke in it.
HATE: The sex and drugs gets a little tiresome after a while.
Before you go on stage do you have any rituals or routines?
Summoning the spirits of the elders and fighting another comedian to the death.
Finally, what will you do with the cash if you win?
After waving it in the faces of the other comedians, I’ll donate it to good causes in the local area.
DANE BUCKLEY
How would you describe yourself as a comedian (in 28 words or less)…
Preferably through dance. But with words: the world’s only Irish, Indian, gay comedian…probably. Cheeky, mischievous, camp. I tell jokes about my heritage and career in social care.
What do you love, and hate, most about being a comedian?
I love the feeling of making a room full of people laugh. Really laugh. It’s the best feeling in the kingdom. And… I’ll say it… I love the stag dos. I really do. Cuff me. When I first started, I was frustrated by how hard it was to get into some of the clubs. Although, I do also respect that you have to earn your stripes. I got my leg in the door by winning gong shows: I’ve been dealing with hecklers since I was five, so they were second nature and great craic.
Before you go on stage do you have any rituals or routines?
If I have time, I do a little dramatic shielding (son of a hippy mammy here) and then play some 80’s music. I sometimes finish my set with a comic Irish ballad so I often do some quick vocal star-jumps. But if I’m in a rush, I just need a wet-wipe and a hubba bubba and I’m good to go.
Finally, what will you do with the cash if you win?
Buy a new car for all of the travelling that being a comedian brings (shout out to my current car, I love you and please, please get me to Liverpool and back). Or possibly an extension on my fringe. I’ve got a good head of hair but I’d like more for my lovers to hold on to.
TREVOR BICKLES
How would you describe yourself as a comedian (in 28 words or less)…
A cheeky chappy, working class London cabbie
What do you love, and hate, most about being a comedian?
I love the feeling of making people laugh through my jokes & leaving people with a smile on there face
Hates punters who talk during the show (why do they always sit at the front)
Before you go on stage do you have any rituals or routines?
Always change my trainers that I wore to the gig to stage ones…. Don’t ask why??
Finally, what will you do with the cash if you win
You’re asking me? I’m married I think you should ask my wife
VINNY SHIU
How would you describe yourself as a comedian (in 28 words or less)…
A dynamic and physical performer. Known for self-deprecating humor and sharp jokes, my act explores growing up in the UK with an Asian face.
What do you love, and hate, most about being a comedian?
Love: Getting female attention
Hate: Not enough for them to want to date me
Before you go on stage do you have any rituals or routines?
I always run the bullet points of my set ahead of stepping on stage and try to take some deep breaths. Sometimes I do a few jumps to loosen myself up.
Finally, what will you do with the cash if you win?
Firstly, I will take my Mum, Dad and brother for dinner. After that I will invest it back into my comedy career. I want to record a special in the near future.
