Irish firebrand Andrew Maxwell delivered a sterling performance to be crowned the first ever King of Comedy, but his thoughts went to fallen comrade Boothby Graffoe.

Very early in the morning, a rather worse for wear Boothby decided to leave the roof he spent the past four weeks under, and all three remaining finalists - Andrew, Stan Boardman and Mick Miller - paid tribute to the surreal stand-up.

But it was a typically witty routine from the Dubliner which was deservedly rewarded, although both Mick and Stan sent the crowd into near hysteria as the show reached its climax.

The judges for the final night - Ava Vidal and comedy agent Vivienne Clore - gave rave reviews to each contestant, branding each one as potential heirs to the King of Comedy throne.

Before the show even started, Andrew was upset about Boothby's sudden and unexpected exit stage left.

"He thinks the show hasn't been particularly fair," Andrew told the management. "And you know what Boothby's like about fairness.

"I want him to come back and be in the final with me," he solemnly declared.

It wasn't to be however, as the trio battled nerves and jitters to entertain and delight the audience.

Up first was Mick, telling stories about trains, pigeons and farting conductors.

"I was on a train recently," he stated. "There was a socket that said: 'For computers only'. And I thought, well I wanted to bring a Hoover."

Fellow old-school comedian Stan took to the stage next and went down well with the expectant crowd.

"I did a gig in Birmingham recently," he explained. "I went on, there were eight people there. The manager said to go on, there's a coach coming soon.

"Anyway, the coach came, I looked up and the eight people had all got on the coach!"

Finally champion-elect Andrew revved up proceedings with a high-impact act of often epic proportions.

"Who here's more scared to be on a plane now we live in a war of terror?" he roared. "But we here in England and Ireland love a cheap deal. "Who here would be able to get on a flight right after this gig and fly to Baghdad - if it costs a fiver?!"

Obviously, most members of the audience raised their hands.

"It was a fantastic performance, I think perhaps a performance worthy of a king," judge Vivienne concluded.

The rest is history so they say - remember, the king is dead, long live the King of Comedy.