David Elms wins Musical Comedy Awards 2014

Up-and-coming comedian David Elms was named the winner at the Musical Comedy Awards 2014 last night.

Elms, who has a 'low key' style of delivery, pleased the audience with some confidently delivered stand-up material, followed by songs on topics including how his parents mildly 'messed up his childhood'. He also performed a song incorporating all the words from the phonetic alphabet, in order.

Elms was picked by the industry judges ahead of fellow finalists Cribb & Morgan, Bob & Jim, Laurence Owen and Rogue 5. Elms wins a £500 prize alongside the prestigious title.

The final, sponsored by WeGotTickets, was held at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London. Cribb & Morgan were placed second, with Laurence Owen third. Irish comedian Steve Bennett was named Best Newcomer.

A review on Chortle says of Elm's act: "His preamble set the perfect tone of resigned acceptance right from the start, when he countered the audience's muted enthusiasm for his welcoming 'Hi!' with a taste of their own uninterest, before cracking a couple of self-deprecating gags with expertly delayed timing. Elms also brought hilarious attention to the here and now of the gig, pointing out the solitary figure in the circle of the Bloomsbury Theatre or calling back to a previous act's joke. He proved himself in command of the room before he'd sung a note."

The Musical Comedy Awards have now been running for six years, with comedians entering via uploading a video. The top 40 then perform in a series of live heats whereby they are whittled down to the final five.

The previous winners are Adams & Rea (2009), Abandoman (2010), Jollyboat (2011), Rob Carter (2012) and Hill & Weedon (2013).

Elms will be performing his debut solo hour at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. Titled Nurture Boy, his show will at the Pleasance Courtyard across August.

Elms is also currently working on a short film, and has previously filmed a number of videos for YouTube. Below is a sketch in which he shows a method for seduction: