Launched in 1981, the Edinburgh Comedy Award is presented to the comedy show judged to have been the best at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and is recognised as the most prestigious comedy prize in the UK.
Previously known as the Perrier Award, the prize recognises acts that are not ‘star’ names (a slightly nebulous concept), meaning that those who can regularly fill a 500-seat venue or who have their own television show (on a ‘major’ channel) are not eligible
The winners reads like a ‘who’s who’ of British comedy, from a talent-packed Cambridge Footlights featuring Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tony Slattery and Emma Thompson, to household names include Steve Coogan, Jenny Eclair, The League of Gentlemen, Dylan Moran, Hannah Gadsby, Al Murray, Tim Key, and Emmy-nominated Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd.
In 1992 a Best Newcomer Award was added, joined in 2006 by a Panel Prize - for acts who have made a special contribution to the Fringe Festival.
The shortlist for this year’s prize will be announced this Wednesday (August 20), meaning speculation is growing about who will make the grade and have the chance to follow last year’s winners Amy Gledhill and Joe Kent-Walters
We’ve been busy seeing shows, chatting to audience members and comedians, and pouring over the reviews to come up with some ideas about the most likely candidates (which will, almost certainly, be proved spectacularly wrong).
Here are our 16 top tips to get a ‘A’ grade in what Irish comedian Andrew Maxwell famously called ‘exams for clowns’ - making the shortlists set to be announced on Wednesday, August 20.
5. Dan Rath: Tropical Depression
There can't be many more joke-packed sets than in Dan Rath's show this year. Just as you think "I must remember that one", it's been forgotten with another killer punchline. It's all given delightful edge by the comedian's fantastically awkward stage presence. If the judges are looking to reward perfect gag writing then Dan could be their man. | Contributed
6. Ayoade Bamgboye: Swings and Roundabouts
One of only three shows at this year's Fringe to be awarded the full five stars by comedy website Chortle, the British-Nigerian's debut has been a real critical hit this year - unafraid of dealing with complex concepts but still delivering on laughs. We called her a "mercurial talent" in our own four star review. Maybe the only question is whether it will be up for Best Newcomer or make the leap directly to Best Show. | Contributed
7. Nate Kitch: Something Different!!!!!
The only other comedian to be awarded the perfect five stars by the Scotsman at this year's Fringe is Nate Kitch, for his show 'Something Different!!!!!'. We called it "a show for true comedy aficionados". Only time will tell if the Comedy Award judges agree. | Contributed
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8. Josie Long: Now Is The Time Of Monsters
It has been almost 20 years since Josie Long won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer for her upbeat show 'Kindness & Exuberance'. Since then she's become a passionately political comedian and has moved to Glasgow. This year's show combines the political with the wide-eyed wonder of her earlier shows and has been earning wall-to-wall glowing reviews. She was nominated for the Main Award on three consecutive occasions between 2010 and 2012 without winning. Could 2025 finally be her year? | Contributed