Daniel Sofoluke wins Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year 2019
- Daniel Sofoluke has won the Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year 2019 competition
- He beat seven other comics in a live final, also aired on Union JACK online radio station
- Simon Wozniak came second, with Kathryn Mather third
Stand-up comedian Daniel Sofoluke has won the prestigious Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year 2019 new act competition.
The contest, which sees the best new acts as nominated by promoters competing for the title, is seen as a strong marker of future star status.
Sofoluke said: "I feel shocked and honoured. Winning Leicester Mercury Comedian Of The Year and joining the ranks of previous winners is a dream come true."
This is the competition's 25th year, with previous winners including Jason Manford, Johnny Vegas, Romesh Ranganathan and Josh Widdicombe. Other notable finalists include Jimmy Carr, who performed a rap when he entered the competition in 2001, Greg Davies, John Bishop, Simon Amstell and Jack Whitehall.
Festival organisers explained: "London born, but now based in Manchester, Daniel uses his comedy to analyse issues both in society and his live, which results in some hilarious and thought-provoking stories."
The final took place as part of the Leicester Comedy Festival last night (Saturday 23rd February), with an industry panel picking Daniel Sofoluke as the winner.
Judges placed Liverpudlian comic Simon Wozniak in second, with Kathryn Mather taking third place.
A total of eight of the best up-and-coming acts performed their sharpest seven minutes at the final, which was hosted by Phil Jerrod.
The other finalists were Riordan DJ, Krystal Evans, Jeremy Flynn, Jamie Hutchinson and Jen Ives.
This year's judging panel consisted of George Oliver (Editor, Leicester Mercury), Charlotte Lang (Glastonbury Festival), Andy Leitch (Off The Kerb Productions), Ian Walker (Union JACK), and comedy promoter Rob Riley.
Below are some highlights from the sets: