FUNNYMAN John Warburton may have been crowned the new king of comedy -- but his victory didnt get the biggest cheer of the night.

For once, 33-year-old John was not joking when he proposed to his girlfriend just minutes after winning the City Life Comedian of the Year contest at Manchester's Comedy Store.

And his girlfriend Sarah Wadsworth jumped at the chance to marry John, who is tipped to be the next Peter Kay.

Journalist John, of Livsey Street, Whitefield, began stand-up comedy two years ago and worked the circuit until he secured a regular slot at the Comedy Store with the Unbroadcastable Radio Show.

The City Life contest was the first he had entered and was considered favourite to take the title.

John said: "I don't like competitions but this is very prestigious. Comedians like Caroline Aherne, Peter Kay and Dave Spikey are past winners and it is very respected. I was made up to win; it is a fantastic accolade."

John said a lot was depending on him coming up with the goods as he had made himself a promise that he would ask Sarah to marry him if he won.

He said: "I wanted somewhere really special to pop the question and thought about an exotic island. Then I decided to ask her if I won the competition. This was the high point of my career and I wanted Sarah to share it with me."

The couple have already been shopping for an engagement ring and plan to marry next Christmas (2005).

John's win has also opened some doors for him in terms of his comedy career. He has been asked to write for BBC radio, has submitted an idea for television and has been given his own column in the Sunday Sport newspaper where he works.