Comedy's oldest talent quest returns

Comedy's oldest new talent contest has opened for entries for 2004.

So You Think You're Funny? has been running since 1998 and has helped uncover such stars as Peter Kay, Dylan Moran and Lee Mack.

Backed by Channel 4, the top prize is £2,000 ­ and the kudos that goes with the title.

Entrants first go through regional heats, which start in May, to find 60 hopefuls who are invited to compete in semi-finals during the Edinburgh Festival.

The final is held at the Gilded Balloon towards the end of the Fringe.

Entrants must have eight minutes of original material, and cannot have performed "regularly" - either paid or unpaid - before September 1, 2003 or taken part in the competition previously.

For more information, call the Gilded Balloon on 0131 226 6550, or click here to download an application form in PDF format.

Click here for a full list of previous winners.

Published: 1 Sep 2003