Labour frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth tries stand-up

Watch the MP's first bash at comedy

Labour frontbencher Jonathan Ashworth performed his first stand-up comedy gig last night.

The Leicester South MP, who is Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, opened his act by mentioning the fact the Daily Mail had once likened him to a ‘1950s summer camp host’, and was setting out to prove if they were right.

He also joked he hadn’t demanded £100,000 to appear as he wasn’t a ‘sleazy Tory MP’ – before making jokes about Matt Hancock, Boris Johnson and sharing an anecdote about Tony Blair.

The Shadow Cabinet member was taking part in Leicester Comedy Festival’s Stand Up Challenge, which featured seven people performing stand-up comedy for the very first time.

At the end of his appearance at The Y Theatre, he thanked the audience for not booing him off the stage, but he failed to make the top three as voted by a panel of judges

Film-maker Matt Holt was crowned the winner, with Adam English from Union Jack Radio second and Laura Hailstone of De Montfort University third place - both their employers are supporters of the festival.

Holt, pictured above with event host Sikisa, said the experience was ‘fantastic…. although I think we all found it a nerve-racking experience at time. The support we got was amazing and to perform to a sell out crowd at The Y was incredible.’

Geoff Rowe, founding director of Leicester Comedy Festival, said: ‘The stand-up challenge has always been a highlight of my year. I’m so in awe of the contestants who take to the stage and perform stand-up comedy for the very first time.

‘We are all incredibly grateful to them all, and the audience who come to support their colleagues and friends on the night and all those who sponsored the contestants.

‘In total we hope the project this year will have raised more than £10,000 which really will make a massive different to our charity.’

Proceeds go to the charity Big Difference, which runs Leicester Comedy Festival and The UK Kids’ Comedy Festival each February and aims to improve the health and well-being of communities across the UK.