I haven't had any time at all over the last couple of days to put pen to paper, or should I say finger to key on this blog. So let me tell you now about the Stand Up for Comic Relief's comedy night I went to the other night. As you may know 3 Counties Radio asked me, about a month ago, if I would mentor one of their presenters, Lorna Milton, to perform 10 minutes of stand up for comic relief. I've been involved with comic relief before so I jumped at the chance. After meeting with Lorna a few times where we rehearsed, wrote and re-wrote the script we finally got to her big day. I arrived at the Apex centre in Bury St Edmunds at 6pm and quickly found Lorna for a last run through. 6 other local radio presenters were also going through their routines and could see that the nerves were starting to get to them. After drawing lotts for their position in the show, the auditorium was cleared and the audience was brought in. By this time the backstage area was buzzing with anticipation and the 4 judges had arrived.
I knew that Rick Wakeman and Emma Freud were going to be judging but I wasn't expecting to see Neil Innes there, the final judge was a guy I've never encountered before Dan McKee. 
All the comedic wannabees had a quick photo shoot backstage and before you knew it David Whitley from Look East was introducing the show. David did a great job of bringing out the judges and setting thing up for a packed out crowd, then it was time to bring on the first Opening the proceedings was Pete Cooper from BBC Northampton who did a wonderful job, I really wasn't expecting standard to be anywhere near that good. It was the same story for the next act David Webster from BBC Norfolk, which made me think, "My God, these guys are great, looks like we've got a real competition on our hands". Third up was Lorna. She did a brilliant job and the punters were with her all the way. She got some great comments from the judges as well. I think being described as a one woman Morecambe and Wise is pretty good for a first timer. An old mate of mine Steve Cherelle opened the second half, he is a singer/songwriter by trade, does a show on BBC radio Essex, and as it turns out, a very competent comedian. Although Steve's told old style jokes which you may have heard before, he knocked it out of the park. As we were in Bury St Edmunds, BBC radio Suffolk presenter Simon Talbot had a lot of support in the venue. He didn't let them down performing an awesome set which he had written every word, very impressive and I told him so when I spoke to him at the bar when he was ordering a well deserved post show drink. Paul Stainton from BBC Cambridge was a little bit hit and miss but started well with some audience participation. It was then time for the final act, Jenny Kirk from BBC Look East. Jenny set was full of anecdotes from her career on Look East, and she also told stories from her time in Jersey where I think I might have met her when I was there. It was a great way to finish a thoroughly entertaining show. 3 of the judges disappeared to deliberate the decision leaving Dan McKee to keep everyone laughing before the results were announced in an X Factor style run down. Lorna was placed at number 5, but we were told later that she was only 1 point off being 4th and if only we had done it as a double act with me on stage with her, she would have been 3rd. Also in the bottom 4 were Paul Stainton and 2 of the acts which I thought would be in the top 3, Pete Cooper and Simon Talbot. I was pleased though to see Steve Cherelle still in the running.
The final result saw Jenny Kirk and David Webster sharing the number one position with Steve Cherelle just behind them. So congratulations to everyone who took part and helped raise some cash by doing something funny for money for Comic Relief. I'd also like to say a special well done and a big thank you to Lorna Milton. She did such a great job and we had such a great laugh, Nice one Lorna, you were brilliant. Don't forget to tune in on 18th March for all the fun of Comic Relief night, go to www.rednoseday.com for more information and donate some of your cash as well text "FIVER" to 70005 and every penny will go to help people who need it at home and abroad.
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