Jimmy to host new act final

BBC chiefs have announced the host of their hunt for the freshest new stand-up talent... Jimmy Tarbuck.

The 62-year-old gap-toothed comic will compere the final of the Beeb's New Comedy Awards at the Edinburgh Festival on Monday, alongside Jenny Eclair.

And the judges for the competition have been named as Ronni Ancona, Mackenzie Crook, Neil Morrissey, Melanie Coupland (head of Talkback Talent Agency) and Jon Plowman (head of BBC Comedy Entertainment).

Crook is also judging the finals of the Daily Telergaph Open Mic Competition and the Wilkinson Sword Cutting Edge Of Comedy competition.

The final is being held at the George Square Theatre and the winner will receive £1,500 and the chance to work on BBC Choice. Two runners-up will each receive £750.

The eight finalists are Dylan, Bob Kobe, Paul Kerensa, Gary Delaney, Nina Conti, Stefano Paolini, Ninia Benjamin and Karl Spain.

he Fast Show's Charlie Higson and Rhys Thomas, creator of Fun At The Funeral Parlour, will judge a separate competition for sketch writers.

Now in its seventh year, more than 3,000 hopefuls entered the competition.

The final will be screened on BBC1 on Saturday September 7 at 11.45pm and on BBC Choice on Tuesday September 10 at 11pm.

Published: 9 Aug 2002