Some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry kickstarted their careers by winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award.Some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry kickstarted their careers by winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award.
Some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry kickstarted their careers by winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award.

Richard Gadd: 12 famous acts who made their name by winning the Edinburgh Comedy Award - including the Baby Reindeer star

Scotland’s Richard Gadd is the latest act to achieve global fame after winning the biggest award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Baby Reindeer is one of the biggest television hits of the year – wowing viewers around the world who have streamed it in their millions on Netflix.

The show is based on the incredible real-life experiences of writer and performer Richard Gadd, who now seems destined for stardom, which originally played out on stage at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Fifer is just the latest big name to have previously won 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.

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 12 acts – including Richard Gadd – who went on to enjoy massive success after winning the award.

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