Comics' most popular targets

Free newspapers, Craig David and David Beckham are the most popular targets for new comics.

Judges in the So You Think You're Funny competition have compiled a list of popular topics from the 21 auditions held around the country.

And the chain of Metro free newspapers topped the list.

Sixty aspiring comics were chosen to take part in heats at the Gilded Balloon during the Edinburgh festival.

They include a farmer who lost all his sheep, full-time mum who zips herself into a holdall, an ex-wrestler, a female classical musician, and perhaps the first Muslim female stand-up, Shazia Mirza.

The final, hosted by Graham Norton, takes place on August 26.

Published: 2 Aug 2001