No plans to give up day job - funnyman Lea
Britain’s funniest new comedian is a welder, elected by the viewers of TV series Stand Up Britain.
Lea Roberts, 36, from Halifax, Yorkshire, scooped the title, trophy, and £7,000 (€11,100) prize money last night after beating off stiff competition from six other acts.
Viewers of the live final on ITV1, presented By Ed Byrne, phoned in to vote for their favourite act.
Having won the public over, Mr Roberts said he would like to use the cash to pay for a second, more lavish church wedding and reception after marrying his wife Sally, 34, in a registry office.
He said: “I’m in shock I never thought people would be voting for me. I don’t know if I’ll be giving up the day job. I’ve only got three minutes’ worth of material. I’ve done a bit of after dinner speaking but that’s all.”
Lea was up against Eric Page, 35, a sexual health adviser from Brighton;’ Peter Pitzburg aka Peter Slater, 27, a delivery man from Bolton; David Bloom, 30, an account manager from Camden, North London; David Gibson aka Bobby Dresser, 36, a farmer from County Durham; Karen Cockfield, 29, an actress from Maida Vale, North West London; and Jaik Campbell, 28, an IT consultant from Suffolk.
They were whittled down from the 144 comedians who competed in the final of the contest at the Granada Studios in Manchester.
As part of the prize Lea now has a chance to work with Granada to bring his act back onto the small screen.
Sean Miller, producer of Stand Up Britain, said: “This was a great opportunity for these comics to get noticed. They only had three minutes each to showcase their act and the added pressure of doing a live show meant that the event was a very big test of their ability to cope with the highest performance pressure.
“Lea did really well and thoroughly deserved the trophy and cheque. This gives him the chance to use the show as a platform for future stardom.”
The regions which broadcast the show are: LWT, Granada Television, Meridian Broadcasting, Yorkshire Television, Anglia Television, Tyne Tees Television and Border Television.
Stand Up Britain is a joint venture between LWT Entertainment and LWT’s digital production house The Lab and Granada’s six regional companies.
