'So You Think You’re Funny' is the foremost new comedy competition in Britain and previous winners have included Peter Kay, Lee Mack and Dylan Moran.
Richard got through a London heat and a semi-final to compete against eight other new comedians, in front of the biggest audience of his career so far. Each comedian had seven minutes to impress the audience and, most importantly, the judges.
"It's judged by a lot of very important and experienced industry professionals and to know that you have impressed them is a very satisfying feeling"
Richard Sandling
The competition was hosted by Ardal O’Hanlan and the judges were a collection of industry professionals from Channel 5, Paramount Comedy, The Sunday Times and Essex's very own Phill Jupitus was the celebrity judge.
As well as a cash prize, Richard gets to go to Just For Laughs in Montreal and the Melbourne Comedy Festival as part of the British Comedy Showcases.
"There are quite a few new act competitions around these days, but 'So You Think You're Funny' is THE New Act Competition you want to succeed in, it's the one with the most prestige and history," explains Richard
"What is also rewarding about doing well in this competition is that, unlike the majority of the other ones, SYTYF is judged by a lot of very important and experienced industry professionals and to know that you have impressed them is a very satisfying feeling indeed!"
Richard's material is mostly about his passion for films and he was also in Edinburgh with his second show entirely devoted to his love of film and, in particular, his heartfelt belief that video is entirely superior to DVD.
The comedy website Chortle said of his performance in the final: "He becomes properly angry on the subject, with a passion that's truly engaging. It was an original routine, with a strong angle – which is no doubt why the judges awarded him first place."
Richard is also the MC and promoter of the Squat Betty Comedy Club, which takes places at Southend's Royal Hotel, on the first Thursday of every month.
