Comic newbie lands DVD slot

Fledgling stand-up Colin Owens is to appear on Jimmy Carr’s new DVD after winning a talent hunt at London’s Comedy Store last night.

Hundreds of hopefuls applied to take part in the Comic Idol contest, which offered the chance to appear as Carr’s support act at his gig in the Bloomsbury Theatre on July 24, which will be released on disc.

After extensive auditions, comic newcomer Owens, from Southampton, triumphed over eight other finalists in the competition.

Producer Rache; Springett said of last night’s final: ‘It was a great night and they all performed spectacularly well.

‘Some of the finalists had never performed a gig before, so to get up in front of 400 people and be so fantastic must have been a great personal achievement.’

Winner Owens has already been performing on the capital’s open mic circuit, having taken up comedy after his mother gave him a place on the Amused Moose course for Christmas.

The Comic Idol hunt had previously been criticised for offering no prize money, unlike most of the plethora of stand-up competitions now available, but producers argued the exposure and tips contestants picked up would be invaluable in getting ahead in the competitive comedy industry.

 

Published: 12 Jun 2005