Bethan Roberts wins Bath Comedy Festival New Act Of The Year 2015
Bethan Roberts was the winner of the Bath Comedy Festival New Act of the Year 2015 final.
Roberts grew up in 'a teeny tiny village in South Wales' before moving to London in 2005 to undertake a performing arts course, and has been performing stand-up on and off since 2012. Most recently she appeared on the BBC Wales panel show Whose Coat Is That Jacket?
Roberts triumphed over nine other acts at Saturday night's live final (4th April) to take the title.
She was presented with an original iconicComedy canvas of Les Dawson, a cash prize, and guaranteed a paid 20 minute spot at one of Mirth Control's comedy clubs.
The judges deciding on the results were performer Helen Lederer, TV executive Graham Smith, producer Alan Nixon and tutor and promoter Jill Edwards.
Bath Comedy Festival's New Act Of The Year competition has previously featured the likes of Rob Beckett and Joe Lycett. This year's final was comprised of Jake Baker, Phil Cooper, Jay Cowle, Christian Elderfield, Craig Leggo, Aideen McQueen, Alex Oliver, O'Shea & O'Gaukroger, George Rigden and Bethan Roberts.
Phil Cooper was named the runner-up, with Jay Cowle and Aideen McQueen in joint third place. The winners and runners-up were joined on stage by Helen Lederer, Arthur Smith and Bath Comedy Festival's Nick Steel for the presentation.
All the finalists received themed Bath Comedy Festival t-shirts and bottles from the Homemade Cider Company.
The show was hosted by Geoff Whiting, and the organisers say: "The standard was set by opening act George Rigden, who opened the show with a confident performance that went down well with the audience. He was followed on stage by a varied selection of talented comics, closing with Craig Leggo. The high calibre of the acts was proven by the length of the judges' deliberations which took some 25 minutes."
Tweeting after the event, Bethan Roberts said: "Thank you @BathComedyFest for a brilliant night! I'm safely home having a cup of tea with Les Dawson staring at me!! SO HAPPY!!"
You can find out more about Bethan via her website
The Bath Comedy Festival will return in 2016, for details see bathcomedy.com
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