How does it feel to be judging the final of the New Comedy Awards?

I actually feel more relaxed about the final, anyone can win it and ultimately now it's about who deserves to win on the night, and has the best gig in the room, so the pressure is off me really, and very much on the audience and acts.

What are you looking for in the winner of the New Comedy Awards?

Every one of the finalists would be a worthy winner and I believe all of them can go on to have brilliant careers in comedy... and even out of comedy, it's never too late to retrain and get a trade if that's what they want to do, plenty of vocational courses available online or alternatively an apprenticeship although hard to come by are perfect for those looking to ‘learn and earn’. It's a big old gig (within the context, it's all totally frivolous really) and it's just about who can enjoy it and get themselves across in the room.

What makes a good stand-up show?

Oh, there's so many different ways of doing it and that's what's great about live comedy, Peter Kay will take the roof off in a different way to Billy Connolly, Sarah Millican will do it in a different way to Bill Bailey. I think people just want to see something authentic and done well. I just like to be excited by what I'm watching on stage.

What advice would you give to any budding comedians looking to apply next year?

Just send in a good video of you doing 5 minutes of stuff you really like; I think at the early stages of doing comedy the things you like and are drawn to are the things that are most authentic and closest to your "voice." To be totally honest I don't and have never held talent shows in any sort of regard, but they can be great fun if you get to one of the televised heats and literally no harm done if you don't. Nothing to lose.

What’s the best piece of advice you got when you were starting out in your career?

Someone once told me to ignore all advice, including that bit of advice, so I didn't really know what to believe to be honest, but I think there is no substitute for doing lots of gigs, different kinds of gigs in different places to different types of people. Also push yourself, do a new bit, be brave, dare to be great, there are loads of good comedians, but the true greats will do things that others won't, have fun out there.

Did you ever take part in any comedy talent shows?

Yeah, in year 6 me and my mates entered the school talent show, got on stage and wrestled for about a minute before the teachers put a stop to it, was it performance art? Had we just not planned anything? I honestly don't remember but it was great.