Spoof singer scoops Funny Women title

Character comic Sarah Davies has won the first Babycham Funny Women competition.

The 28-year-old Australian, who performs as Jade The Folk Singer, scooped the £2,000 prize at London's Comedy Store last night.

Runner-up was Cornish newcomer Anna Kierle, who was making only her third appearance on any comedy club stage. She won £500.

Anglo-Philipine musical act Ria Lina was placed third, and also won £500.

Judges, including Smack The Pony's Doon Mackichan and Chortle editor Steve Bennett, also made a special mention to Londoner Kerry Godliman.

Mackichan said: "It was an incredibly strong line-up. Every one of the ten women has the talent and tpotential to go far, which is fantastic for the future of female comedy in this country. I particularly liked Jade The Folk Singer - she looked perfectly at home on the stage at the Comedy Store."

Winner Davies said; "It was just amazing to play at the Comedy Store and to win as well is unbelievable. I'm thrilled!"

She first unveiled her character in the Edinburgh Fringe show Mullets and Daughters last year, which she performed under the name Sarah Adams. She returns to the festival this year in a show entitled Folk As F**k.

Davies, a teacher by day, has previously appeared in the Edinburgh shows Live Get It Up Ya in 2000 and Goodbye Mr Bitch in 2001 as part of The Homeowners sketch team and has written and performed on a host of comedy shows in her native Australia, including The Micallef Programme and Full Frontal.

The other finalists last night were Karen Bayley, JoJo Sutherland, Brandi Borr, Debs Gatenby, Katy Wix and Marilyn Monroe impersonator Helen Kane.

Published: 8 Jul 2003