26/08/2011

Irish Comedian Wins 'Show Me the Funny'

An Irish comedian has been crowned the winner of ITV 1's reality TV contest, Show Me the Funny.

Patrick Monahan won the first series after competing against two other finalists and winning the audience's vote. Each of the three finalists performed a 5 minute set of original material.

Monahan beat Tiffany Stevenson and Dan Mitchell in last night's live show. Stevenson finished the show in third place, while Mitchell finished as runner up. Both will join Pat on his headlining comedy tour starting next month.

Laughing all the way to the bank Monahan also secured a prize of £100,000 and his own stand-up DVD release.

Speaking after his win, Monahan said: "I'm genuinely shocked. I thought I was going to go out after the first week."

Referring to the prize money, the 35-year-old said he wanted to give his prize money to his family as thanks for supporting him.

He used material from his own family for his routine, including the joke "My dad's Irish and my mum's Iranian – so we spent most of our family holiday in customs."

The live final, which hosted by Jason Manford, included the judges Alan Davies and comedy critic Kate Copstick. They were also joined by guest judges Bob Mortimer, Ross Noble and Johnny Vegas.

Vegas, who mentored Monahan, said: "I'm made up about it. It's showed him that others had more faith in him than he had in himself."

He said: "Comedy has never been bigger and this show has given a thoroughly deserving guy the chance to shine. Pat pulled off a brilliant gig tonight and I'm really pleased for him."

While host Manford added: "Comedy has never been bigger and this show has given a thoroughly deserving guy the chance to shine. Pat pulled off a brilliant gig tonight and I'm really pleased for him.

"I think he did really well. He got some huge applause. He really stood out tonight."

Monahan's 12-date tour, where he will be supported by the two runners-up, will begin on 17 September, with his DVD released on 28 November.

(LB/BMcC)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

26 April 2004
Chat show veteran Parkinson moves to ITV
ITV has signed up BBC chat show veteran Michael Parkinson on a two-year deal, it has emerged today. Mr Parkinson, who has hosted his eponymously-titled programme for 18 years, said that he decided to move to commercial broadcaster ITV after his Saturday night primetime slot was threatened by the return of Match of the Day.
09 September 2009
Divorce For Katie And Peter
Reality TV stars Katie Price and Peter Andre have been granted a divorce at London's High Court, ending their four-year marriage. Price, 31, who is also models under the name Jordan, and singer Andre, 36, choose to divorce each other, filing cross decrees under Price K v Andrea PJ - Andre's real name. Neither of the couple appeared in court.
13 August 2009
Katie Price Launches Independent Production Company
Model and reality TV show star Katie Price has launched her own independent production company. Pricey Media, which Ms Price set up with former ITV Studios Talent Executive Mark Wagman, has been set up to develop, produce and co-produce new shows and formats.
11 July 2012
Chris Moyles Leaves Radio 1 Breakfast Show
Radio 1 breakfast show host, Chris Moyles, has announced he will leave the show at the end of September. Presenting the show since 2004 the now 38-year-old became the stations longest serving breakfast show host in 2009. Announcing the news, he said: "We're off. I wanted to let you know. A couple more months of us, then it's someone else's turn.
21 April 2008
BAFTA Success For Harry Hill
Comedian Harry Hill scooped two awards at last night's Bafta Television Awards. Hill won the awards for Best Entertainment Performance and Best Entertainment Programme for his ITV show 'Harry Hill's TV Burp'. BBC Three comedy 'Gavin & Stacey' also won two awards.