The first comedy competition of 2015 didn’t mess about with anything as conventional as qualifying heats. The eight acts chosen were simply some of the favourites of the long-standing club that was staging the final, run by comic Mike Manera. An unusual selection process, but one that guaranteed a consistently strong level and also some familiar competition names, including the winner, Amir Khoshokhan (pictured).

First up was Magnus Turner MP – a spoof character who looked a little like Churchill (albeit with the voice of Miles Jupp) and like Churchill also had a habit of switching allegiances. Turner seemed like a natural Tory but revealed that he had done time with other parties. This was not so much a set as a pastiche public address. There was the inevitable spot of UKIP-bashing, but actually Turner steered clear of soft targets, with the result that he was less laugh-out-loud funny than he could have been. He might well get some juicy corporate work in this General Election year, but he didn’t get the judge’s vote tonight.

Second on was Russell Peers, who always feels like a Russell Peters misprint to me. I’d heard good things about this London-based Barrow in Furness-born comic and he was impressive but not as original as I had hoped. His riff about artisan farmers’ markets felt remarkably similar to Alexei Sayle’s old knit-your-own-muesli routine from over three decades ago. But I’m just showing my age there, Peers was very funny, he just fell back too easily on comic tropes - talking about doing a bit of sick in his mouth, getting a giggle out of the pronounciation of the word “quinoa”  and picking on poor Cheryl Cole. A very good set that showed a lot of promise but didn’t quite hit the spot.

Laura McClenaghan was the most distinctive act of the first section, positively revelling in her social awkwardness and explaining how she was unable to have ordinary conversations, but enjoyed being onstage and not having to bother with conventional interaction. She was not afraid to pause between lines and give her routines a chance to breathe and make an impact. She also had a very good gag about sugar dissolving in cappuccino. There was a hint of Andrew Lawrence’s detached misanthropy, but McClenaghan stood out more than enough to deserve second place. Can’t see her getting many hen party bookings though.

Review continues here.