James Kirk follows in Peter Kay 's footsteps and scoops comedy gold

ONE of the most prestigious prizes in comedy has been won by a 22-year-old from Paisley who has been performing for less than a year.

James Kirk was presented with the So You Think You're Funny award at a ceremony at the Gilded Balloon on Thursday night.

Previous winners of the award for up and coming comic talent have included Peter Kay, Dylan Moran, Lee Mack, Rhona Cameron and Miles Jupp.

Kirk, who said his style was "nervous, awkward and self deprecating", said: "I'm delighted. It is really unexpected."

He was joined on stage by fellow comedians Tim Minchin and Rufus Hound and Gilded Balloon founder Karen Koren.

Kirk thanked people on the Scottish comedy circuit for giving him the support he needed when he was starting out. Ms Koren said: "He has that west coast view of things that I absolutely love. As he works more and does more he will go from strength to strength. He has funny bones."

As well as winning 2,000, the young comic will also be given the opportunity to perform at the Montreal Comedy Festival. He said: "I'll have to get a passport. I went to Europe but I lost my passport so I'll need a new one."

Second place in the newcomers contest went to Cambridge graduate and Footlights director Liam Williams, while third place was awarded to 24-year-old Rob Beckett from London. The other finalists were Laura Carr, Alex Clissold Jones, Pete Dobbing, Romesh Ranganathan, Matt Richardson and Chris Turner.