Norwegian comedian has last laugh

A Norwegian comedian has established a new world record for the longest solo stand-up comedy show, an honour that was previously held by Irish comic Tommy Tiernan.

Hans Morten Hansen (46), who is from Stavanger, the third-largest city in Norway, broke the previous record by just 8 minutes at the Oslo Comedy Festival today.

The record was first established by Tommy Tiernan in Galway in April 2009 with a performance that lasted for 36 hours and 15 minutes. His record was broken by Australian comic Lindsay Webb at the Gallery of Modern Art, South Brisbane, Queensland last October with a new time of 38 hours and 6 minutes.

The new record, set today by Hansen, now stands at 38 hours and 14 minutes. Hansen began his show on Wednesday at 10pm and finished at 12.14pm this afternoon.

Hansen, who was too exhausted to speak to reporters this afternoon, told the Irish Times last week that he had been inspired to go for the record attempt after reading about Tiernan's achievement last year.

Hansen's show was streamed online, and members of the public are invited to send in comments to the comic. His health was closely monitored throughout the event by fellow stand-up comedian Jonas Kinge Bergland, who is a qualified doctor.

After taking a short break to recover following his record-breaking attempt, Hansen will be returning to the stage shortly. Among his forthcoming shows is a support slot to Irish comedian Ed Byrne at the Great Norwegian Comedy Festival 2010 in October.