Did you hear the one about Alan?

An East Cork funnyman looks set to become a household name in New Zealand after winning a prestigious comedy award.

Alan Hurley, 28, who has been based in Auckland for the past 18 months, won the New Zealand Comedy Guild Award for Best Newcomer last week.

He was selected for the award by other comedians following a series of live performances, including a routine screened on prime time TV.

Alan, who is a civil engineer in Auckland, said he was shocked but delighted to have won the award.

“I was delighted by it. Really shocked that I got it. When I went to give my speech I was completely speechless, which is ironic considering it is my profession to stand up on stage and tell jokes.

“I awoke the next day with a fuzzy head and a hint of confusion before I realised I had won. I only went in to work that day because they had really good coffee in the office,” he said.

The Ballymacoda man is no stranger to comedy awards and won a UCC comedy competition shortly before graduating.

Alan has said he is organising a number of gigs in Cork in March when he returns for a break.