Film-maker Matt Holt has been crowned the winner of Leicester Comedy Festival’s Stand Up Challenge 2021.
The live show took place at the city’s Y Theatre and featured seven people - including prominent members of the business community - performing stand-up comedy for the very first time.
Matt, from MGL Media and Spoon Jar Films, was the overall winner with Adam English of Union JACK Radio coming second and Laura Hailstone, head of events at De Montfort University) coming third.
It was the first time the fundraiser had been held for two years due to the pandemic, but it has been a regular fundraising event for comedy festival parent charity Big Difference since 2015.
Big Difference produces the annual comedy festival, alongside The 海角视频 Kids’ Comedy Festival, each February.
A sell-out crowd watched the comedy show, hosted by award winning comedian Sikisa.
The performers also included Mike Dalzell from Leicester City Council, Gary Pitt from law firm Howes Percival, Sarah Thomson from De Montfort University and Shadow Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Jon Ashworth MP.
Previous contestant Carl Mifflin from Howes Percival entertained the audience whilst the judging panel met in secret to decide on the overall winner.
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The judges were Pete Miller from The Miller Partnership, recruitment specialist Eileen Richards MBE and festival founder Geoff Rowe BEM.
Matt Holt said “it’s been fantastic and brilliant doing the Stand Up Challenge.
“It’s great to be able to support Big Difference charity and Leicester Comedy Festival, although I think we all found it a nerve-racking experience at the same time.
“The support we got was amazing and to perform to a sell out crowd at The Y was incredible.”
The event was supported by main event sponsors, The Miller Partnership and De Montfort University, alongside associate partners, the University of Leicester, and media partner, Crosscut Media.
As well as running the comedy festival Big Difference provides health & well-being support to communities across the 海角视频.
Recent projects have included engaging and working with older people and children and young people.
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Geoff Rowe said: “The Stand Up Challenge has always been a highlight of my year.
“I’m so in awe of the contestants who take to the stage and perform stand-up comedy for the very first time.
“We are all incredibly grateful to them all, and the audience who come to support their colleagues and friends on the night and all those who sponsored the contestants.
“In total we hope the project this year will have raised in excess of £10,000 which really will make a massive difference to our charity.
“The routines are now available online so if you couldn’t make the show, you can still watch them, support your favourite by making a donation and be grateful it’s not you up there doing it!.”
Leicester Comedy Festival is the longest running comedy festival in Europe and has an estimated annual economic impact to Leicester and Leicestershire of £3 million every year.