With a over 3,300 shows to choose from across 265 venues at this year's feast of culture, 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 17 winners you can see in Edinburgh this year.
5. Catherine Cohen
Best Newcomer 2019 winner Catherine Cohen (for 'The Twist...? She's Gorgeous) had to cancel shows at 2013's Fringe after suffering a stroke. She happily completely recovered and returned last year. She obviously likes Scotland's Capital as she's back yet again in 2025 with new show 'Broad Strokes' - addressing her health scare. The twist? It'll be hilarious - and she's now called Cat. She's at the Pleasance Courtyard from July 31-August 24. | Getty Images
6. David O'Docherty
A hugely popular winner back in 2008, when 'Let's Comedy' beat Rhod Gilbert, Russell Kane and Kristin Schaal to the comedy crown, Irishman David O'Docherty is an Edinburgh regular - the place just wouldn't be the same without him in August. This year's show, entitled 'Highway To The David Zone', looks unlikely to stray far from his winning formula of wry humour and comic songs played on his trademark tiny keyboard. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. See him at Assembly George Square from July 30-August 25. | BBC
7. Josie Long
Fringe favourite Josie Long - who now lives in Glasgow - was crowned Best Newcomer back in 2006 for her show 'Kindness & Exuberance', and has been back nearly every August since. Last year she was trying out new material in 'A Work in Progress About Giant Extinct Animals' and now she's returning with the completed show, now called 'Now Is The Time Of Monsters. She's at the Pleasance Dome from July 30-August 24. | Contributed
8. Ahir Shah
Ahir Sha's poignant, playful and politically-engaged show 'Ends' scooped the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2023 - despite it initially being billed as a work in progress. He's back at the Monkey Barrel with another work in progress (which, again, is likely to be better than 99 per cent of finished shows) this year from August 14-24. | Getty Images