The Edinburgh Festival Fringe programme hasn’t even been officially launched yet, but almost 3,500 shows have already been announced.
It can be a tricky proposition negotiating the sheer quantity of what’s on offer but there’s something to be said for opting for performers who have a winning record – and there’s no bigger prize in British comedy than the Edinburgh Comedy Award.
Launched in 1981, the 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.
Formerly known as the Perrier Award, it is designed to promote acts that have yet to become household names, so comedians judged to have ‘star status’ are not eligible - for instance if they have a show on a major television channel or can regularly fill a 500-set venue.
The first winners were a talent-packed Cambridge Footlights featuring Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tony Slattery and Emma Thompson, while other names catapulted to fame by the award over the years include Steve Coogan, Jenny Eclair, The League of Gentlemen, Dylan Moran, Al Murray, Tim Key, and Emmy-winning Baby Reindeer star Richard Gadd.
A Best Newcomer Award was added in 1992, followed by a Panel Prize in 2006 - for those who have made a particularly special contribution to the Fringe Festival.
Here are all 18 previous winners you can see in Edinburgh this year so far.
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13. Sofie Hagen
Sofie Hagen won the Best Newcomer Award in 2015 for her show 'Bubblewrap'. She's at the Monkey Barrel this year with new show 'I Think Some of This Is My Fault' from August 4-30. "Despite being constantly online from 2016-2024, she never saw it coming that the fascists would be taking over. She did so many feminist tweets to prevent it. How can this be happening?" | Getty Images
14. Phil Ellis
Phil Ellis took home the Panel Prize in 2014 for twisted children's show (that's just as much fun for adults) 'Funz and Gamez', which returned to the Fringe last year. In 2026 the Taskmaster star is setting for solo show 'Bathmat' at the Monkey Barrel from August 3-30. "Jam-packed with laugh-out-loud profound silliness, superbly crafted gags and constant surprises, Phil is bringing his Bath Mat to a city near you." | Getty Images
15. Joe Kent-Walters
Joe Kent-Walters took home the Best Newcomer Award in 2024 in character as demonic working men club owner Frankie Monroe. The character's back with 'A Show For Babies' at the Monkey Barrel. Expect the unexpected (and maybe a pub quiz). | Contributed
16. Mark Watson
Nobody combines comedy and anxiety quite as well at Mark Watson. He became a Fringe legend thanks to his record-breaking marathon shows, winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award's first Panel Prize in 2006 for his extraordinary 36 hour-long effort. He's performing a more relaxed one hour show called 'Before It Overtakes Us' at the Pleasance Grand this year from August 27-29, as well as a kids show called 'Mark Watson Tries to Impress Children, for Some Reason' at the Pleasance Courtyard from August 5-16. | Local Library