BBC New Comedy success

Alan Carr has won the latest BBC New Comedy Award semi-final.

He won through to the Edinburgh final of the prestigious competition at Nottingham's Just The Tonic club last night.

Judges also made special mention of Laurence Inman, an older stand-up with a philosophical set.

Club promoter Darrell Martin said: "Karen Bayley and Chris Cairns also did well. It would have been a difficult decision for the judges if the camp and rather spectacular Alan Carr hadn't bounded on and stole the show. It was a well-deserved win."

Carr now joins Russell Howard, Michael Downey, Des Clarke, Keith Carter and Justin Moorhouse at the final at the Pleasance Dome on August 13.

The first of two London finalists will be chosen at the Comedy Store on Monday. The remaining semi-finals are

London: Rob Deering, Paul McKenzie, John Ryan, Steve Day, Jeremy Geake, Neil Gibbons, Jennifer Brister, Jasper Holmes. To be held at the Comedy Store on July 2

Brighton: Andy Askins, Alex Horne, Bill Holland, Jo Romero, Markus Birdman, Jeremy O'Donnell, Greg O'Connell, Sean Hard. To be held at the Komedia on July 6

London: Ninia Benjamin, Matt Blaize, Chris Gilbert, Lennie Jackson, Andy White, Jarred Christmas, Jonathan Richards, Mike Wilkinson. To be held at the Comedy Store on July 9

More than 800 entrants submitted a recording of their routine to the BBC Talent hunt, with a possible contract up for grabs.

For more info, check the offical home page.

Published: 29 Jun 2001