The Bath Comedy Festival New Act of the Year Grand Final has taken place at the Bath Forum Ballroom.

The finalists were Fraser Gibson, Carla Gordon, Sharlin Jaha, Bryan James, Anthony Jeannot, Bennet Kavanagh, Iona Stewart Richardson, Ashish Scientist Suri, Dan Tiernan, Daniel Vallender, Henry Whaley & Harry Wright.

Compere was Geoff Whiting.

2019 Winner David Eagle performed while the judges – including Graham Smith, Alan Nixon and Julia Chamberlain, plus Bath Comedy Festival Director Nick Steel – made up their minds.

And the winner of the Lovehoney Best Newcomer Award is...

Bennet Kavanagh

Henry Whaley was second and Sharlin Jaha was third.

The first time Kavanagh entered Bath New Act, his car broke down on the M4 and he didn't make it, but this makes up for it.

Kavanagh recently came third in the Musical Comedy Awards final and in December 2020 he was Amused Moose People's Champion Award winner. He has also been chosen as winner of the Starter category as part of the 2021 British Comedy Guide Pro Talent Awards and will appear in the Pro final as part of his prize, which will take place later this year.