The finalists for the UK Pun Championships 2015 have been announced.

Eight contestants have been selected to compete in the second competition, which will take place on Thursday 12th February 2015 at Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival.

2014's inaugural event was a sell-out success, and the second outing will again be hosted by Lee Nelson. The character says: "Hosting the inaugural UK Pun Championships was a right laugh but next year's is going to be twice as much pun. So take a pun-t and come along to listen to 1000s of pun-chlines. There's no better place to be as a pun-ter. Guaranteed. In fact if you're not 100% satisfied you get your punny back."

As in the previous year, the contest will take the format of a "rap battle", with the acts taking it in turns to showcase their word-play wizardry on randomly chosen topics over four rounds. The audience's cheers or jeers will determine which act will be eliminated from each round, until only one champion remains.

Last year's winner Darren Walsh went on to take part in the O Henry Pun-Off World Championships in Texas and has recently released his first joke book. He is back this year to defend his title.

The Finalists

Darren Walsh: Last year's winner.

Example Pun: Ivana Trump too, but I have manners.

Twitter: @TheGiantTweets

Rob Thomas: A finalist of the Reading Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2014, and made the UK finals of the Montreux Comedy Festival New Act Competition 2014.

Example Pun: When the Queen hands you apples remember your first priority: decorum.

Twitter: @roblavs

Tony Cowards: Took third place in the English Comedian of the Year competition in 2014.

Example Pun: Me and my buddies at the gun club often go to the cheese shop, just to shoot the Bries.

Twitter: @TonyCowards

Richard Woolford: Won last year's UKTV Gold Christmas joke competition with the pun "What does Miley Cyrus have at Christmas? Twerky."

Example Pun: Why will everyone change their name to Angelina this Christmas? Tis the season to be Jolie.

Twitter: @Richie_Bob

Martin Croser: The Scotsman says: "Several of the best one-liners you will hear. Croser's writing is first rate".

Example Pun: I've been trying to write puns about sword fighting but I couldn't think of any words with a dual meaning.

Twitter: @M_Croser

Leo Kearse: UK Pun Championships finalist in 2014. "Kearse is seriously good. Quick, funny, smart and to the point... hilarious" (Kate Copstick, The Scotsman).

Example Pun: My mate sat on my pumpkin. He butternut squash it.

Twitter: @comedyLeo

Richard Pulsford: UK Pun Championships finalist in 2014: "Rich delivered a number of great puns I wish I had thought of myself" (Gary Delaney).

Example Pun: I'm not very tech savvy. Maybe it's my age. I've been trying to download this video on incontinence. Problem is, it's just continually streaming.

Twitter: @RichardPulsford

Rob Coleman: "Presence a plenty and material to match" (One 4 Review).

Example Pun: I have a very cute kitten, but he does get everywhere. Recently, he got his feet caught under my Sky Box, and now my telly's permanently on paws.

Twitter: @RobColeman100

Highlights from last year's final can be heard below: