Will Hislop wins Musical Comedy Awards 2017
- Will Hislop has won the Musical Comedy Awards 2017, with Tom Taylor and Matt Hutson runners-up
- Over 100 acts entered this year's MCAs, with the top ten performing at Monday night's Grand Final
- Hislop says: "I'm over the moon to have won the MCAs"
Will Hislop has won the Musical Comedy Awards 2017.
The 23-year-old actor, writer and stand-up was picked out by judges at a final which took place last night at the Lyric theatre in London's West End. The show saw the ten finalists each performing their best 8 minutes of material.
The comedian, who plays the keyboard, performed much of his set in character as a Norwegian Eurovision entrant.
Hislop, who is the son of Have I Got News For You star and Private Eye editor Ian Hislop, had previously reached the finals of the Musical Comedy Awards as part of double-act DW, but this was his first year performing solo.
Speaking to BCG, he said: "I'm over the moon to have won the MCAs and to have shared such an incredible stage with such incredible acts."
He added: "My Norwegian friend Ulrich wants to thank the Lyric audience for being the craziest, sexiest, most beautiful people he's ever seen. And the organisers of the event for being the wildest, baddest, best people he's met this side of Oslo."
Tom Taylor (pictured) was named runner up, with Matt Hutson third. Taylor also won the Audience Award, judged by sponsors WeGotTickets; whilst Two Plus Ones (Luke Sumner, Joshan Chana and Archie Henderson) were named Best Newcomers.
This year saw over 100 acts enter the Musical Comedy Awards, with 50 taking part in the live heats. The other acts to make it through to the final, which this year was hosted by character act Tina Turner Tea Lady, were Friz Frizzle, Katie Pritchard, Hurt & Anderson, Rasputin's Lunchbox, ShitStorM and Jamie D'Souza.
Producers Ed Chappel and Tamara Cowan say: "We are so proud of the unbelievable array of talent on display and it was such an honour to show off our MCA baby (now 9!) at the gorgeous Lyric. Congratulations to all our acts on putting on such a fab show and we are so grateful for all they've brought to this year's competition. Bring on the tenth anniversary next year!"
Will Hislop will be performing at the Edinburgh Festival this year as part of sketch duo Giants, at the Pleasance Courtyard.