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.
The award 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.
A Best Newcomer Award was added in 1992, followerd by a Panel Prize in 2006 for those who have made a particularly special contribution to the Fringe Festival.
Here are the last 13 performers to have won the trophy - and what they've been up to since.
5. Jordan Brooks
English comedian Jordan Brookes took the comedy crown in 2019 for his show called 'I've Got Nothing'. The pandemic meant it would be three years before the awards would be held again, meaning Brookes became the longest reigning champion in history. He's continued to tour ever since, and is bringing his new show to Edinburgh this year. | Contributed
6. Rose Matafeo
In 2018 Kiwi Rose Matafeo won the main prize for her show 'Horndog'. Since then she's gone on to create and star in her won BBC sitcom - 'Starstruck'. | Contributed
7. Hannah Gadsby
Hannah Gadsby's show 'Nanette' shook up the comedy world in 2017 and took Edinburgh's biggest award into the bargain. Since then they've become one of the world's most in-demand standups, touring the globe and playing in front of huge audiences, with millions watching their Netflix comedy specials. | Getty Images for Hamilton Austra
8. John Robins
For the first time in the awards' history, the judges had co-winners in 2017, meaning John Robins's break-up show 'The Darkness of Robins' joined Hannah Gadsby in the winners circle. Since then he's become a successful radio host and podcaster and returned to Edinburgh in 2023 with 'Howl', a show about giving up alcohol. | Contributed