Comedian James Patterson is not laughing any more.

Kennington's stand-up comic lost out at the regional finals of The Cup A Soup Extra Comedy Challenge.

The national competition was part of a hunt for stand-up stars.

The 28-year-old driving instructor went on to battle it out against winners from across the Midlands for the chance to win the £10,000 prize money.

But he lost out to Karen Bayley, from Birmingham.

Now he says he is glad he never gave up his day job.

He said: "The judges were DJs from a local radio station. They told us we were not allowed to swear, so I did not swear. But everyone else did."

Mr Patterson said he would not be giving up his dream to make it big in the world of stand-up.

He said: "It's just made me want to go on and show them what for. I don't need DJs telling me whether I am funny or not."

Mr Patterson's next show is at the Jericho Tavern, Walton Street, Oxford, on May 14, at 8pm.