Tom takes So You Think You're Funny crown

Tom Allan, an actor from South-East London, has won this year’s So You Think You’re Funny? new act contest.

After taking his £2,000 prize at the Edinburgh Fringe last night, he follows in the footsteps of such previous winners as Peter Kay, Tommy Tiernan, Lee Mack and Dylan Moran.

He has only been performing since January, performing his first gig at Bethnal Green Working Men’s Club. However his act is performed in an educated, slightly camp accent.

On winning the award, he said: ‘I’ve nothing funny to say, but thank you.’

Celebrity judge Julian Clary bungled the announcement, by incorrectly announcing Allan had come third after reading his list in the wrong order, much to the delight of compere Bill Bailey.

Clary said: ‘We enjoyed the show. We had to deliberate, and it wasn’t easy for us. None of the decisions were unanimous. Fists were raised, but that’s another story. We thought all the material was great.’

Second prize went to Sarah Millican, left, runner-up in this year’s Funny Women contest and winner of the Amused Moose new act competition less than 24 hours earlier.

And Joe Wilkinson, a 30-year-old graphic designer from London took third place.

Karen Koren, head of the Gilded Balloon which has hosted the competition for the past 18 years, said: ‘Tonight has been just as good as any of the other ones.’

The finalists were chosen following a series of 22 showcases across the country.

Also competing were Charlie Baker, Kevin Bridges, Robert Broderick, Emma Fryer, Stuart Goldsmith and Josh Thomas.

Published: 24 Aug 2005