Jack Gleadow wins Yorkshire New Comedian award
- Jack Gleadow from Hull has won the Great Yorkshire Fringe's New Comedian award
- A former International Young Magician winner, he has been performing comedy for 5 years
- The other finalists were Tom King, Gina Jenkinson, Mike Carter, Edy Hurst, Anth Young and James Harkness
Hull's Jack Gleadow, 22, has been named 2017 New Comedian of the Year at the Great Yorkshire Fringe.
Currently studying for a BA in radio and television in Manchester, Gleadow wins £750 cash.
He was previously named International Young Magician in 2013 but gave up magic to concentrate on stand-up. The multi-talented performer has since also been named Hull Comedian of the Year and Hilarity Bites New Comedian of the Year.
The other finalists were Tom King (from Hull); Gina Jenkinson, who performs under the name Kelli Taylor (Hull); Mike Carter (Liverpool); Edy Hurst (Manchester, originally Yorkshire); Anth Young (Newcastle); and James Harkness, whose stage name is Dougie (Manchester).
Commenting on his win, Jack Gleadow says: "It was as great night - everyone on the bill was good. The £750 prize will get me to Edinburgh for the Fringe next week, so it couldn't have come at a better time!
"These kind of contests are really hard to do - you only get 5 minutes and that's how long it normally takes you to warm up an audience! You just have to treat it as a normal gig, stick to your material. I used some props and audience interaction, a real mixture; I'm a jack of all trades.... you could call me a one-man variety show.
"I definitely want a career in comedy, either acting, presenting; anything in the creative arts."
Great Yorkshire Fringe Director Martin Witts said: "This was possibly the best new act final I've ever seen."
Gleadow's first gig was above a pub in Hull owned by an ex member of The Beautiful South. Gleadow explains: "I had a fun gig and instantly got the bug but I didn't quite have the Perfect 10 yet."
He says his main influences are Lee Evans, Lee Mack, Frank Skinner and Tim Vine: "all legends and so varied but ultimately naturally funny people, and I'm also a huge fan of Morecambe and Wise."
Gleadow will appear at the Edinburgh Fringe for a one-off performance on Sunday 19th August as part of Amused Moose's Afterhours Comedy line-up.
He publishes a free regular podcast, My Favourite Year, available now on Soundcloud.