Telly host's bid to conquer comedy

TV presenter Jenny Powell is to attempt to become a stand-up comic for a new ITV series.

Her goal is to beat the gong at the Comedy Store's notorious new act challenge ­ and she has already performed at a British Legion club and in a shopping centre to a lukewarm reaction.

Stand-up Seymour Mace has been giving her tips, and she will also try to warm up a TV studio audience with the help of old hand Ted Robbins.

An ITV spokesman said: "Jenny is swapping the sanctuary of C-grade celebritydom for the harsh, unforgiving world of stand-up comedy.

"The series will follow Jenny as she transforms from witty Cheshire socialite to performing at one of Manchester's leading comedy clubs.

"This is an exploration of why the North West is such a hotbed of comic talent, and to help her in her transformation, Jenny will meet some of the region's leading comics such as Des O'Connor, Justin Moorhouse and Bernard Manning."

Jenny, who was discovered by Jonathan King in 1986 to front his music show No Limits, said Mace was giving her some useful advice.

"He's given me some golden nuggets," she said. "He said, 'When you have these weird ideas, Jenny, just keep them going.'"

Stand Up Jenny is on ITV in the Granada region for four weeks from 11.30pm next Thursday. Her King Gong gig at the Manchester Comedy Store is on Sunday March 7.

Published: 26 Feb 2004