List of Edinburgh Comedy Award winners

The Edinburgh Comedy Awards, formerly known as the Perrier Comedy Awards, the if.comedy awards and briefly as the if.comeddies, are a group of prizes awarded annually since 1981 to comedy shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Each award currently has a separate sponsor, being sponsored by Sky TV, DLT Entertainment and The Victoria Wood Foundation, respectively.

They have previously been sponsored by Perrier, lastminute.com, Dave,[1] and Foster's Lager.

Currently three awards are given – Best Comedy Show, Best Newcomer and the Panel Prize.

Main prize[edit]

Perrier Comedy Awards
Year Main prize winner Main prize nominees
1981 Cambridge Footlights
(Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tony Slattery, Emma Thompson, Penny Dwyer and Paul Shearer)
1982 Writer's Inc
(Gary Adams, Steve Brown, Vicki Pile, Trevor McCallum, Helen Murry, Jamie Rix, and Nick Wilton, with additional material by Kim Fuller)
1983 Los Trios Ringbarkus
1984 The Brass Band Fascinating Aïda
Hank Wangford Band
Frank Chickens
The Bodgers
Paul B. Davies & Dave Cohen
1985 Theatre de Complicité The Bodgers
Merry Mac Fun Show
John Dowie
Sue Ingleton
1986 Ben Keaton Paul B. Davies
Roy Hutchins
Jenny Lecoat
Merry Mac Fun Show
1987 Brown Blues... Arnold Brown with Barb Jungr and Michael Parker Nick Revell
Jeremy Hardy
Simon Fanshawe
John Sparkes
1988 Jeremy Hardy Doug Anthony Allstars
Roy HutchinsSpacehoppers Clackers & Really Big Fish
Robert Llewellyn's Mammon Robot Born of Woman
The Wow Show
1989 Simon Fanshawe John HegleyCan I Come Down Now Dad?
Al and GeorgeUnscheduled Stop
Will Durst
Live Bed Show
The World of Les and Robert
1990 Sean HughesA One Night Stand Dillie KeaneSingle Again
Pete McCarthyThe Hangover Show
Jimmy Tingle
1991 Frank Skinner Avner the Eccentric
Jack Dee
Eddie IzzardJust the Words
Lily SavageThe Live Experience
1992 Steve CooganIn Character with John Thomson Jo Brand
Bruce MortonSin
John Shuttleworth's Guide to Stardom
Mark Thomas
1993 Lee Evans Corky and the Juice Pigs
Phil Kay
Johnny MeresMy Booze Hell by Little Johnny Cartilage
Donna McPhail
Parrot – Sick as a Parrot
Greg Proops
1994 Lano and Woodley Alan Davies
Jeff Green
Harry Hill's Pub Internationale with Al Murray
Owen O'NeillIt's a bit like this...
Robert Schimmel
1995 Jenny EclairProzac & Tantrums Simon BlighBanzai
Scott CapurroThe Love and Affection Tour
Boothby GraffoeThe Love and Affection Tour
The Umbilical BrothersHeaven by Storm
1996 Dylan MoranDylan Moran Is Indisposed Alexander Armstrong and Ben MillerArmstrong and Miller: The Quality Shag
Bill Bailey
Rich HallFreewheelin
Dominic HollandHolland-Days Sauce
Al Murray
1997 The League of Gentlemen Milton JonesJoyrider
Al MurrayKing of Beers
Graham NortonCharlie’s Angels go to Hell
The Johnny Vegas Show
1998 Tommy TiernanUndivine Comedy Ed ByrneA Night at the Opera
Seán CullenWood, Cheese & Children
Peter Kay
Al MurrayPub Landlord's Keeper of the Pint Cosmic
1999 Al Murray as The Pub Landlord – And a Glass of White Wine for the Lady Terry Alderton
The Arctic Boosh
Simon Munnery as The League Against Tedium – Ubertechnocomedie
Ross NobleLaser Boy
2000 Rich HallOtis Lee Crenshaw Dave GormanAre You Dave Gorman?
Lee Mack's New Bits, with Lee Mack, Catherine Tate and Dan Antopolski
Sean LockNo Flatley, I am the Lord of the Dance
Garth Marenghi's Fright Knight, with Matthew Holness, Richard Ayoade, and Alice Lowe
2001 Garth Marenghi's Netherhead, with Matthew Holness, Richard Ayoade, and Alice Lowe Dan AntopolskiAntopolski 2000
Jason Byrne
Adam HillsGo You Big Red Fire Engine
Daniel KitsonLove, Innocence and the Word Cock
2002 Daniel KitsonSomething Noel FieldingVoodoo Hedgehog
Jimmy CarrJimmy Carr's Bare Faced Ambition
Omid DjaliliBehind Enemy Lines
Phil NicholThings I Like, I Lick
Adam HillsHappy Feet
2003 Demetri MartinIf I... Reginald D. HunterWhite Woman
Adam HillsCut Loose
Flight of the ConchordsHigh on Folk
Howard Read and Little HowardThe Big Howard and Little Howard Show
2004 Will AdamsdaleJackson's Way Chris AddisonCivilisation
Epitaph with Ethan Sandler and Adrian Wenner
Reginald D HunterA Mystery Wrapped in a N***a
Sarah Kendall
2005 Laura SolonKopfraper's Syndrome Chris AddisonAtomicity
Jason ManfordUrban Legend
Jeremy Lion (AKA Justin Edwards) with George Cockerill – What's the Time Mr Lion?
Dutch Elm ConservatoireConspiracy
if.comedy awards (styled as if.comeddie for 2006)
Year Main prize winner Main prize nominees
2006 Phil NicholThe Naked Racist David O'DohertyDavid O'Doherty Is My Name
Russell HowardWandering
Paul SinhaSaint or Sinha?
We Are KlangKlangbang
2007 Brendon BurnsSo I Suppose THIS Is Offensive Now Andrew LawrenceSocial Leprosy for Beginners and Improvers
Andrew MaxwellWaxin'
Tom BinnsIvan Brackenbury's Hospital Radio Roadshow
Pappy's Fun ClubPappy's Fun Club
2008 David O'DohertyLet's Comedy Rhod GilbertRhod Gilbert and the Award-winning Mince Pie
Russell KaneGaping Flaws
Kristen Schaal and Kurt BraunohlerDouble Down Hearts
Edinburgh Comedy Awards (known as the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards since 2010)
Year Main prize winner Main prize nominees
2009 Tim KeyThe Slutcracker Idiots of AntsThis Is War
John BishopElvis Has Left the Building
Jon RichardsonThis Guy at Night
Russell KaneHuman Dressage
Tom WrigglesworthTom Wrigglesworth's Open Return Letter to Richard Branson [1]
2010 Russell KaneSmokescreens and Castles Bo BurnhamWords, Words, Words
Greg DaviesFiring Cheeseballs at a Dog
Josie LongBe Honourable
Sarah Millican: Chatterbox[2]
2011 Adam RichesBring Me the Head of Adam Riches Andrew MaxwellThe Lights Are On
Chris RamseyOffermation
Josie LongThe Future Is Another Place
Nick HelmDare to Dream
Sam SimmonsMeanwhile
[3]
2012 Doctor BrownBefrdfgth Claudia O'DohertyThe Telescope
James AcasterPrompt
Josie LongRomance and Adventure
Pappy'sLast Show Ever!
Tony LawMaximum Nonsense
2013 Bridget ChristieA Bic for Her Carl DonnellyNow That's What I Carl Donnelly! Volume V
James AcasterLawnmower
Max & IvanThe Reunion
Mike WozniakTake The Hit
Nick HelmOne Man Mega Myth
Seann WalshThe Lie-in King
2014 John KearnsShtick Alex HorneMonsieur Butterfly
James AcasterRecognise
Liam WilliamsCapitalism
Romesh RanganathanRom Wasn't Built in a Day
Sam SimmonsDeath of a Sails-Man
Sara PascoeSara Pascoe vs History
2015 Sam SimmonsSpaghetti for Breakfast James AcasterRepresent
Joseph MorpurgoSoothing Sounds for Baby
Kieran HodgsonLance
Nish KumarLong Word. Long Word.. Blah Blah Blah.. I'm So Clever
Sarah KendallA Day in October
Seymour MaceSeymour Mace Is Niche as F**k!
Trygve WakenshawNautilus
Edinburgh Comedy Awards (known as the lastminute.com Edinburgh Comedy Awards since 2016)
Year Main prize winner Main prize nominees
2016 Richard GaddMonkey See Monkey Do Al PorterAt Large
James AcasterReset
Kieran HodgsonMaestro
Nish KumarActions Speak Louder Than Words, Unless You Shout The Words Real Loud
Randy FeltfaceRandy Writes A Novel
Tom BallardThe World Keeps Happening
Zoe Coombs MarrTrigger Warning
2017 Hannah GadsbyNanette

John RobinsThe Darkness of Robins

Ahir ShahControl
Elf LyonsSwan
Jordan BrookesBody of Work
Mae MartinDope
Mat EwinsPresents Adventureman 7: The Return of Adventureman
Sophie WillanBranded
Spencer JonesThe Audition
2018 Rose MatafeoHorndog Ahir ShahDuffer
Alex EdelmanJust For Us
Felicity WardBusting A Nut
Glenn MooreGlenn Glenn Glenn, How Do You Like It, How Do You Like It
Kieran Hodgson'75
Larry DeanBampot
Dave's Edinburgh Comedy Awards
Year Main prize winner Main prize nominees
2019 Jordan BrookesI've Got Nothing Darren HarriottGood Heart Yute
Demi LardnerDitch Witch 800
GoodbearDougal
Ivo GrahamThe Game of Life
Jessica FostekewHench
London HughesTo Catch a D*ck
Spencer JonesThe Things We Leave Behind
The Delightful SausageGinster's Paradise
2020 Edinburgh Festival Fringe cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Edinburgh Festival Fringe in reduced scope due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Sam CampbellComedy Show Alfie BrownSensitive Man
Colin HoultThe Death of Anna Mann
The Delightful SausageNowt but Sea
Jordan GrayIs It a Bird?
Josh PughSausage, Egg, Josh Pugh, Chips and Beans
Larry DeanFudnut
Lauren PattisonIt Is What It Is
Liz KingsmanOne-Woman Show
Seann WalshIs Dead. Happy Now?
Edinburgh Comedy Awards (sponsored by Sky, DLT Entertainment and the Victoria Wood Foundation)
Year Main prize winner Main prize nominees
2023 Ahir ShahEnds Ania MaglianoI Can't Believe You've Done This
Emmanuel SonubiCurriculum Vitae
Ian SmithCrushing
Janine HarouniMan'oushe
Julia Masliha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Kieran HodgsonBig in Scotland
Phil EllisPhil Ellis's Excellent Comedy Show

Best Newcomer Award[edit]

Best Newcomer Award
Year Winner Nominees
1992 Harry HillFlies!
1993 Dominic HollandRed Hot Dutch with Dominic
1994 Scott CapurroRisk Gay
1995 Tim VineThe Tim Vine Fiasco
1996 Milton JonesThe Head
1997 Arj BarkerArj Barker's Letter to America
1998 The Mighty Boosh, with Julian Barratt, Noel Fielding and Rich Fulcher Chris Addison
Jason Byrne
Jon Reed
Paul Foot
1999 Ben'n'Arn's Big Top, with Ben Willbond, Arnold Widdowson Infinite Number of Monkeys, with Tim FitzHigham and James CarySketch Comedy of Hypotheticals
The Arthur Dung Show, with Dave Lamb and Jim North
Wil AndersonWilennium
2000 Noble and Silver Andrew CloverA Man of Substance in a World of Filth
Dan AntopolskiSecond Coming
David O'DohertyDavid O'Doherty's The Boy Who Saved Comedy
2001 Garth Cruickshank & Eddie McCabe - Let's Have a Right Royal Shambles Andy ZaltzmanAndy Zaltzman versus the Dog of Doom, with John Oliver
Cambridge FootlightsFar too Happy, with Edward Jaspers, Tim Key, Day Macaskill, James Morris, Mark Watson and Sophie Winkleman
Danny Bhoy
2002 The ConsultantsFinger in the Wind Hal Cruttenden
Natalie Haynes
Reginald D. Hunter
2003 Gary Le StrangePolaroid Suitcase Alex HorneMaking Fish Laugh with Tim Key
Michael McIntyre
Miles JuppGentlemen Prefer Brogues
2004 Wil HodgsonThe Passion Of The Hodgson Alun CochraneMy Favourite Words in My Favourite Stories
Joanna NearyJoanna Neary is not feeling herself

Sabotage: In Fine Form, aka Shenoah Allen and Mark Shavez

2005 Tim MinchinDark Side Charlie PickeringBetterman
Mark Watson50 years before I die
Rhod GilbertRhod Gilbert's 1984
Toulson and Harvey, aka Stephen Harvey and Luke Toulson
2006 Josie LongKindness & Exuberance Fat Tongue with Sophie Black, Seb Cardinal and Dustin Demri Burns
God's PotteryConcert for Lavert
Russell KaneRussell Kane's Theory of Pretension
2007 Tom BasdenWon't Say Anything Jon RichardsonSpatula Pad
Micky FlanaganWhat Chance Change?
Zoe LyonsFight or Flight
2008 Sarah MillicanSarah Millican's Not Nice Mike Wozniak
Pippa Evans
2009 Jonny SweetMostly About Arthur Carl DonnellyRelax Everyone, It's Carl Donnelly!
Jack WhitehallNearly Rebellious
Kevin BridgesAn Hour to Sing for Your Soul
Pete Johansson – Naked Pictures of My Life
2010 Roisin ConatyHero, Warrior, Fireman, Liar An Audience with Imran Yusuf
Asher TreleavenSecret Door
Gareth RichardsStand Up Between Songs
Late Night Gimp Fight!
The Boy With Tape on His Face
2011 Humphrey KerHumphrey Ker is Dymock Watson: Nazi Smasher Cariad LloydLady Cariad's Characters
The Chris and Paul Show
Hannibal BuressMy Name is Hannibal – The Hannibal Montanabal Experience
Josh WiddicombeIf This Show Changes One Life
Holly WalshHollycopter
Thom TuckThom Tuck Goes Straight-to-DVD
Totally Tom
2012 Daniel SimonsenChampions David TrentSpontaneous Comedian
Discover Ben Target
Joe LycettSome Lycett Hot
Sam Fletcher – Good on Paper
2013 John KearnsSight Gags For Perverts Aisling BeaC'est La Bea
Liam Williams
Matt OkineBeing Black & Chicken & S#%t
Romesh RanganathanRom Com
2014 Alex EdelmanMillennial Dane BaptisteCitizen Dane
Gein's Family GiftshopGein's Family Giftshop Volume 1
Lazy SusanExtreme Humans
Lucy BeaumontWe Can Twerk it Out
Steen RaskopoulosI'm Wearing Two Suits Because I Mean Business
2015 Sofie HagenBubblewrap Adam HessSalmon
DaphneDaphne Do Edinburgh
Larry DeanOut Now!
John Henry FalleThe Story Beast
Tom BallardTaxis & Rainbows & Hatred
Tom ParryYellow T-shirt
2016 Scott Gibson – Life After Death Bilal ZafarCakes
Brennan ReeceEverglow
Jayde Adams31
Michelle WolfSo Brave
Nath ValvoHappy Idiot
2017 Natalie PalamidesLAID Chris WashingtonDream Big (Within Reason)
Darren HarriottDefiant
Ed NightAnthem for Doomed Youth
Kwame AsanteOpen Arms
Lauren PattisonLady Muck
Lucy PearmanMaid of Cabbage
Rob KempThe Elvis Dead
2018 Ciarán DowdDon Rodolfo Maisie AdamVague
Olga KochFight
Sara BarronFor Worse
Sarah KeyworthDark Horse
Sindhu VeeSandhog
2019 Catherine CohenThe Twist? She's Gorgeous CrybabiesDanger Brigade
Helen BauerLittle Miss Angel Baby Face
Huge DaviesThe Carpark
Janine HarouniStand Up With Janine Harouni (Please Remain Seated)
Michael Odewale#BLACKBEARSMATTER
Nigel NgCulture Shocked
Sophie DukerVenus
2020 Edinburgh Festival Fringe cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Edinburgh Festival Fringe in reduced scope due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Lara RicoteGRL/LATNX/DEF Amy GledhillThe Girl Before The Girl You Marry
Emily WilsonFixed
Emmanuel SonubiEmancipated
Josh JonesWaste of Space
Leo ReichLiterally Who Cares?!
Vittorio AngeloneTranslations
2023 Urooj AshfaqOh No! Bill O'NeillThe Amazing Banana Brothers
Dan TiernanGoing Under
Lindsey SantoroPink Tinge
Louise YoungFeral
Martin UrbanoApology Comeback Tour
Paddy YoungHungry, Horny, Scared

Panel Prize[edit]

Panel Prize
Year Winner
2006 Mark Watson – For his 36 hour show during the festival
2007 Arthur SmithArturart, an exhibition of comedians' artwork
2008 All the performers – £4000 was put behind the bar in lieu of giving a prize[4]
2009 Peter Buckley HillPeter Buckley Hill Free Fringe
2010 Bo BurnhamWords, Words, Words
2011 The Wrestling – Max & Ivan
2012 The Boy With Tape On His FaceMore Tape
2013 Adrienne TruscottAdrienne Truscott's Asking For It: A One Lady Rape About Comedy
2014 Funz and Gamez
2015 Karen Koren – Head of Gilded Balloon since 1986
2016 Iraq Out & Loud: (Heroes of Fringe) – Reading the Chilcot Report in Full
2017 No Panel Prize awarded, as the Best Show prize was awarded to both John Robins and Hannah Gadsby
2018 Angela Barnes, Sameena Zehra and Pauline Eyre for the Home Safe Collective[5] – An initiative set up to help vulnerable groups get home safely
2019 Fringe of Colour[6]
2020 Edinburgh Festival Fringe cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 Edinburgh Festival Fringe in reduced scope due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2022 Best in Class
2023 A Show for Gareth Richards

Acts with multiple Best Show nominations[edit]

5 nominations[edit]

  • Al Murray (won in 1999)
  • James Acaster (5 nominations in consecutive years)

4 nominations[edit]

  • Kieran Hodgson

3 nominations[edit]

  • Ahir Shah (won in 2023)
  • Russell Kane (won in 2010)
  • Josie Long
  • Adam Hills
  • Sam Simmons (won in 2015)

2 nominations[edit]

  • Andrew Maxwell
  • Larry Dean
  • Merry Mac Fun Show
  • Daniel Kitson (won in 2002)
  • David O'Doherty (won in 2008)
  • Garth Marenghi (won in 2001)
  • Jeremy Hardy (won in 1988)
  • Jordan Brookes (won in 2019)
  • Nick Helm
  • Nish Kumar
  • Pappy's
  • Phil Nichol (won in 2006)
  • Rich Hall (won in 2000)
  • Sarah Kendall (nominated in 2004 and 2015)
  • Seann Walsh
  • Simon Fanshawe (won in 1989)
  • Spencer Jones
  • The Bodgers
  • The Delightful Sausage

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Brown, Mark (11 July 2019). "TV channel Dave is new Edinburgh comedy awards sponsor". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 11 October 2019.
  2. ^ "Two women make the shortlist". Chortle. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2010.
  3. ^ "Best Comedy Show". Retrieved 16 June 2022.
  4. ^ "Edinburgh festival: David O'Doherty wins if.comedy prize". the Guardian. 24 August 2008. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
  5. ^ "Rose Matafeo wins the 2018 Edinburgh Comedy Award". www.chortle.co.uk. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
  6. ^ "2019 Edinburgh Comedy Award winners". Retrieved 29 August 2019.

External links[edit]