Talent hunt for Davidson's Ustreme channel

Would-be comics are getting mentoring from the likes of Christopher Biggins and Bobby Davro as part of Jim Davidson’s new talent hunt.

Nine finalists have been chosen for his Laughter Class initiative, to be filmed for his streaming channel, Ustreme, and will receive comedy tips from the veterans before the final later this month.

Other mentors include Britain’s Got Talent comic Kev Orkian, circuit comic and comedy coach Nik Coppin – who will be hosting the show – and Davidson himself.

After the course, the contestants will take to the stage in front of a live audience and panel of judges – including Miles Crawford and TV critic Garry Bushell – to perform their own stand-up routines, when a winner will be chosen.

The finalists have been named as Lee Goode, Stephen Dodd, Richie Rands, Paul Barton, Paula Woolven, Sam Chant, Kevin McDonnell, Patrick Smith and Desmond Feehily.

Jim said: ‘We’re delighted to have some veterans of the comedy world coming along to mentor our finalists.

‘Between us, we know the industry inside and out, and will teach them everything we know so they can put on a bloody good stand-up routine.

‘The whole thing about Laughter Class was about finding raw talent that can be nurtured, it wasn’t necessarily about putting through the people who put on the most polished audition initially.

‘Our finalists are a great bunch who are really willing to learn and there might be some comedy stars of the future among them.’

The final will take place at the Concorde Club, in Eastleigh,  Hampshire, on October 31 and tickets are on sale now.

Published: 5 Oct 2023