A SOUTHAMPTON student is hoping to leave comedians in stitches tonight as he enters the final round to decide the title of funniest student in the UK.

Using the style of comedy used by Tommy Cooper, Mark “Galeforce” Gale, is taking to the stage of the Comedy Store in London after reaching the final of the Comedy Central Live Funniest Student Competition, The 21-year-old Solent University student, who is known for fast delivery that leaves audiences – and himself – breathless, will be appearing before judges Shappi Khorsandi, Patrick Monahan and Jarred Christmas.

The final-year BA (Hons) Comedy: Writing and Performance student will battle it out with five other finalists in front of the X-Factor style judging panel and is hoping to walk away with guaranteed gigs courtesy of Lee Evans’ Off The Kerb Productions and the opportunity to receive mentoring and advice from Comedy Central.

Mark said: “I’m an alternative to the ‘alternative’ comedy scene.

“Most people are still performing observational comedy but my studies have given me a newfound respect and appreciation of the quick-fire delivery and slightly cheesy gags reminiscent of the comedy greats from the variety show era, especially Tommy Cooper and Frankie Howerd.”

The national contest is known as the hottest comedy gig on the university calendar, and the culmination of a series of gigs from the UK’s top students has been dominated by Solent’s comedy students who have won the competition twice in the last four years.

Previous winner Hannah George, who won the contest in 2007 and graduated from the university last year, has since gone on to be a regular on the UK’s comedy circuit and has taken her show to the Edinburgh Festival.