The annual So You Think You're Funny? final has taken place at the Gilded Balloon.
Previous winners and finalists from the competition include Aisling Bea, Tommy Tiernan, Maisie Adam, Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Fern Brady, Rob Beckett, Romesh Ranganathan, Sara Pascoe, Daniel Sloss and more.
Nine finalists – whittled down from over 600 entries – competed to win this prestigious prize for newcomers in a show skilfully compered by Zoe Lyons with Micky Flanagan as guest judge.
And the results are as follows:
1. Joshua Bethania
2. Mark Black
Joint 3rd: Pravanya Pillay and Jack Skipper.
The other finalists were:
Ben Pollard
Daniel Petrie
Justina Seselskaite
Prakash Jirjadhun
Rohan Sharma
Karen Koren Artistic Director said: "I started this competition 35 years ago to search for the newest talent - one of the main reasons it's so successful. This is a very nurturing environment for the winners, whom we encourage and support. The calibre of past winners is impressive. We love discovering and investing in stand-up comics of the future."
Katy Koren Artistic Director said: “We’re thrilled for Joshua Bethania and we really put our blood, sweat and tears into this competition so announcing the winner is a really special moment for us. Seeing all the new comedians coming through is the best part of my job!”
The winner of the competition will receive…
A cash prize
A fully paid for solo show (or mixed bill) run as part of the Gilded Balloon’s Fringe
programme
A paid performance slot in the Comedy Arena and weekend pass at Latitude Festival in the year following the competition
A series of paid performance slots at Just for Laughs Festival in London
A paid Friday spot at Glee Birmingham plus accommodation
A full weekend of paid spots at the Boat Show in London
A fully paid for recording and edit of your debut solo show available on the Next Up platform
Complimentary headshot/photoshoot by professional photographer to the stars
Steve Ullathorne
Complimentary filmed copy and professional photographs of their spot from the
Grand Final to use in their show-reel
Mentorship and support from Karen and Katy Koren and the So You Think You’re Funny? team
