Finlay Christie wins So You Think You're Funny? 2019
- Finlay Christie has won the So You Think You're Funny? 2019 new act competition
- Shane Daniel Byrne and Charlie George were the runners-up
Finlay Christie has won the So You Think You're Funny? competition at the Edinburgh Fringe.
The prestigious new act competition, which has been running for over 30 years, has previously featured winners including Maisie Adam, Ivo Graham, Tom Allen, Miles Jupp, Peter Kay, Dylan Moran and Aisling Bea.
In his set, Christie talked about the difference between boys and men, the problems of being a 'white boy', and his failed attempt to get into his first choice university. Writing on Twitter, he said it was "such an honour" to win the competition.
Shane Daniel Byrne was named by the judging panel as the first runner-up, with Charlie George coming in as second runner-up.
The So You Think You're Funny? Grand Final took place on Thursday night (22nd August) and was compered by 2004 finalist Zoe Lyons. The judging panel Karen Koren & Katy Koren (Gilded Balloon), Susan Provan (Melbourne Comedy Festival), Bruce Dessau (Beyond The Joke), Helen Hawkins (The Sunday Times), and Jenny Éclair.
Finlay Christie wins £2500, a trip to perform at Montreal's Just for Laughs Festival 2020, a run as part of Gilded Balloon's 2020 Fringe programme, a complimentary professional headshot photoshoot by Steve Ullathorne, complimentary filmed copy and professional photographs of the winner's spot from the Grand Final to use in their showreel alongside mentorship and support from Karen Koren and the So You Think You're Funny? team.
The other finalists were Claire Haus, Denis Len, Erika Ehler, Fady Kassab, Kate Bancroft and Kate McGann.