Stand-up Shalaka Kurup has been named as the winner of the West End New Act of the Year 2023 competition.

The runner up was Blank Peng with Tim Biglowe coming third.

This competition was set up in 2021 to help boost the profiles of new acts who had found their career development hampered by the pandemic.

The live final took place last night (1st March) at The Albany in London, with Steve McLean as host and Paul F Taylor as the headliner.

Over 200 acts applied to take part in this year's competition, with around 140 securing spots in the ten heats.

Steve McLean commented: "I've been at every round this year and the standard has been amazingly high. Pretty much every act from the Quarter Finals was in with a shout of making the final, that's how good it was."

The other finalists were Archit Goenka, Serena Smart, Abigail Adams, Eni Oshowo, Luke Nixon, Louie McLean, Saleha Massud, Su Mi, Kate Lois Elliot, Nick Kirk (as Dave Steed, Fire Inspector), Dave Wilder and Dora Flowers.

Kurup - who also placed in the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year competition on Saturday - wins £150, with £75 going to second place, and £50 to third. All of the acts who reached the final will also be offered Edinburgh Fringe stage time as part of the competition's showcase at the Voodoo Rooms.

The competition also offers a One To Watch award for acts who took part in the competition but didn't make the finals. The Ones To Watch this year have been named as Laura Walsh, Verity Sharpe, Tom Ratcliffe, Mac Larry, Ally O'Leary and Vicky Richards.