By ANDY CHAPMAN THE countdown is on as Londonderry prepares to host Northern Ireland's largest comedy festival tonight. The Magners Big Tickle Festival, sponsored by the North West Telegraph, promises an even bigger and better line-up of comedy when it opens its doors this evening.

AN IRISH stand-up has been crowned the funniest man at the Fringe. David O'Doherty was the surprise winner of the Intelligent Finance Comedy Awards 2008, pushing favourite Rhod Gilbert into second place, and taking home GBP 8000 for his efforts.

Irish comedian David O'Doherty has won Britain's most prestigious comedy award for routines delivered at Scotland's Edinburgh Fringe Festival, officials say.

By Senay Boztas He might be 32, but he's down with the youth, and a show about text messages, Jay-Z, and the impossibility of finding true love won David O'Doherty the if.comedy award last night.

WRITER and broadcaster Clive James is to be the presenter of this year's Intelligent Finance Comedy Awards, it has been announced.