Andrew crowned funniest at event
Columnist wins heat
Published:
AN EVENING Express columnist has been crowned the funniest man in the Granite City.
Andrew Learmonth won the Aberdeen heat of the prestigious Scottish Comedian Of The Year competition.
The 26-year-old saw off 10 other hopefuls and secured a place at the finals in Glasgow later this month.
He will be judged by Still Game stars Sanjeev Kohli and Jane McCarry, who play characters Navid and Isa on the show.
Andrew, who stays in Aberdeen’s city centre, said: “I’m absolutely buzzing and haven’t stopped smiling since my name was announced. It was a really good gig. I think all of us who were on stage were helped by a really supportive, nice, slightly drunk Sunday night audience.
“The quality was really high and I think it could have been any one of us who went through.”
A former Mintlaw Academy pupil, Andrew has been doing stand-up for two years.
He gave up work as a civil servant six months ago in order to concentrate on his comedy career. He has since become a regular at gigs up and down the country and has played at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Andrew is also the author of Loudmouth Learmonth, an online column with the Evening Express.
He won his ticket to the final after a round of audience voting at the Blue Lamp on Sunday and will represent Aberdeen at the finals at the Old Fruitmarket on September 28.
Preparing for the next round of the Ha Ha Comedy competition, Andrew is listening to motivational music. He said: “I have a few gigs down in Edinburgh and Glasgow before the final so I shall try and make my jokes a little bit sharper, funnier, more Glaswegian and less Aberdonian.
“You know – include more references to River City.
“I shall also be listening to Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing on a nearly continuous loop.”
He will be joined by runner-up Carly Baker.
