A STUDENT comedian who first took to the stage two months ago hopes to reach the final of the competition which helped launched the careers of Peter Kay and Rhona Cameron.

Mature student Tom Tolson is putting the final touches of his act together for the heats of So You Think You’re Funny?

Mr Tolson, 36, has recently started a performing arts HND at the University of Salford. He previously worked in a factory but decided to return to university last year.

Heats for the national competition will be held in Manchester, but Mr Tolson, originally from Newton Aycliffe, was back on stage in the North-East last night.

His first comedy act came to the stage in April, when he picked up an award. Eight performances later and he was performing to a homecoming crowd at Hilarity Bites, in Inside Out, Darlington.

On Wednesday, he will be in front of another live crowd and a panel of judges for the best standup comedy competition for newcomers. If he is successful, the finals take place in Edinburgh, during the Fringe Festival.

Past winners have included Rhona Cameron, Lee Mack, Tommy Tiernan and Peter Kay. Ardal O’Hanlon, Johnny Vegas and Ed Byrne are among other acts to have started in the competition.

Mr Tolson said: “It is all pretty exciting. Comedy is one of the reasons I came to Salford. It is one thing being funny with your friends, but on stage it is altogether different. I’ve had eight gigs and they have all gone well apart from two.”

Mr Tolson has a range of influences including Billy Connolly, Richard Pryor, Robin Williams and Frank Skinner.

He added: “I like to think my act is about 80 per cent truth. That is the way I like it. I enjoy writing about life experiences.”

Although a novice on the comedy circuit, Mr Tolson has experience on stage playing the guitar in local bands in the County Durham area.

He is also planning a short film documentary about his progress on the stage with one of his tutors.

For more details of Mr Tolson, visit myspace.

com/tomtolson