Second semi-final tonight

The first four finalists in this year's Chortle Student Comedy Awards have been announced.

Triumphing at the first semi-final in London last night were:

• Jack Gleadow, 22, who is studying for a BA in radio and television in Salford. He describes his act as a'one-man variety show' and previously won the Hull Comedian of the Year title in his hometown.

• Tony Wright, 20, who is studying comedy writing and performance, also at Salford. Originally from Margate in Kent, he said: 'My style is quite warm and paced, I do one liners intertwined with personal stories.

• Riordan DJ, 21, who is studying medicine at the University of Bristol. Originally from Exmouth, he belnds observational comedy with surreal one liners.

• Sam Knights, 20, who is studying English at Cambridge though is originally from Leamington Spa. A member of the famous Footlights group, he describes his humour as 'a weird brand of political comedy told through the eyes of a madman'.

The second semi final takes place at the RS Hispaniola on the London Embankment tonight. Ticket are available here.

The final, to be hosted by Mark Watson, takes place in Pleasance One at the Edinburgh Fringe on August 14. Tickets are available here.

Finalists will also be performing at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk in July.

They follow in the footsteps of previous finalists such as Joe Lycett, Simon Bird, Chris Ramsey, Tom Rosenthal, Phil Wang and Adam Hess.

Published: 9 May 2017