An MP, a filmmaker, a legal eagle and a senior university official are among the contestants leaving their comfort zones to take on the 2021 Leicester Comedy Festival Stand Up Challenge.
The first contestants for the annual fundraiser – a popular spot on the city’s annual business calendar – have been picked.
Each will work on their own stand-up routine before taking to the stage to perform next summer.
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Over the years, the event has become a big fund-raiser for registered charity Big Difference Company, producers of the annual spring comedy festival.
Next year’s event takes place in June
The first five contestants are shadow health secretary and Leicester Labour MP Jon Ashworth, MGL Media filmmaker and director Matt Holt, De Montfort University senior events manager Laura Hailstone, Howes Percival solicitor Gary Pitt and De Montfort’s director of engagement Sarah Thomson.
Jon Ashworth said: “They laughed when I said I was going to do stand up, well they ain’t laughing now.
“I can’t believe I’ve agreed to do this – but it’s all for charity and sitting opposite Boris Johnson in the Commons has given me plenty of material.”
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Matt Holt, who 20 years camera experience including work for BBC, ITV & Sky, said: “My great-granddad was a music hall comedian called Billy Burton from Coalville circa 1926.
“I’ve always loved the classic Hollywood stars like Chaplin or Laurel & Hardy, which is why I’ve been a filmmaker for 21 years.
“I’d just like to see if I could “make em laugh” like Billy Burton and my heroes.”
Laura Hailstone, head of events at De Montfort University, said: “I put myself forward for this last July, thinking it was a long way off and that it might be forgotten about, but no such luck!
“I’m pretty much terrified about the idea of taking to the stage but it’s all for a great cause, Big Difference Company is such a fantastic charity, reaching communities across the city so I’m pleased to be able to support their work.”
More entrants are now being sought, and the challenge is open to anyone based in Leicester, Leicestershire & Rutland – particularly members of the business community who can bring in lots of sponsorship – who want to go above and beyond.
Participants get mentoring for their five-minute routine from comedian Anthony King.
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Over the years the project has raised more than £10,000 to help sustain the festival and the community projects delivered by Big Difference Company throughout the year, including its work with children and young people, people with disabilities and older people.
Past contestants have included representatives of East Midlands Airport, East Midlands Chamber of Commerce, Santander Bank, Leicester Racecourse and the Leicester Mercury.
They have said taking part in the challenge has benefited them in terms of developing their public speaking, networking, raising the profile of their businesses and supporting a good cause.
The performance is hosted by a professional comedian who provides some support and advice to the contestants on the night.
Big Difference Company chief executive Laura Arends said: “There is plenty of space available for more brave people to sign up and join these first five contestants in what is a unique opportunity to support our work.
“We are thrilled to have already secured the support of such a range of people and we hope together we can raise plenty of money for our charity and Leicester Comedy Festival.
“The project is a huge amount of fun, and we will remind all the contestants of this when they are standing at the side of the stage ready to perform on the night.
“We are all genuinely in awe of those who take up the Challenge but we know from previous years that all the participants get a huge amount of support from each other as well as the audience on the night.”