Fringe: So You Think You’re Funny prize awarded

Picture: Colin Hattersley (www.colinhattersley.com)

Two winners have for the first time been awarded the top award celebrating newcomers at the Fringe, with both tipped for future success.

Edd Hedges, from Essex, and Demi Lardner, from Adelaide, Australia, scooped the top prize at So You Think You’re Funny, with Gilded Balloon boss Karen Koren insisting the competition had been among the closest competitors in two decades.

Ms Lardner, who began performing at 16 and is still in her teens, wowed audiences at the packed Debating Hall with her original and irreverent comedy.

Ms Koren said: “In 26 years we’ve had some wonderful people come through and these wonderful comics took their first steps with us.

“We have had some fantastic winners over the years and this year in many cases more than other years. We had 7 heats up here and the judges were great.

“Hopefully the people you see in the stage tonight will go onto great things.”

Sarah Millican, who was runner up in 2005 and has gone onto major TV deals, said: “The judges have for the first chosen two winners.”

Ms Lardner told the audience: “Thanks guys this is totally awesome. Thanks to everyone else who took part.”

Laura Mclenaghan was voted runner up for the award.