Chickens cause flap in Fringe comedy awards

Thanks to a campaign spread through blogs and social networking sites, the UK-Japan act Frank Chickens are now topping the poll.

Comedian Stewart Lee kicked off the protest against the poll to find Foster's Edinburgh Comedy God, saying it was "the most shameful, inane thing I have seen in all the years I have been doing the Fringe".

In an open letter to the organisers he said the poll was a meaningless exercise, which would degenerate into a fame and popularity contest - and that early nominees such as the Frank Chickens would stand no chance against acts who were now regularly seen on television.

Yesterday Kazuko Hohki of Frank Chickens, who were nominated for the Perrier Award in 1984, said: "It is very funny. The whole thing should get award. British people are funny."

Comedian Richard Herring was among those campaigning via Twitter for the Frank Chickens, urging his 30,000 followers: "Push them to the top."

Frank Chickens, who are still performing in the UK, have edged television favourite Michael McIntyre into second place. Last night Russell Howard was in third place, followed by Newcastle absurdist Ross Noble and political comic Andy Zaltzman.

Lee was inspired to protest after a press release for the new award cited television talent contests as an inspiration.

He said: "Don't invoke people like Simon Cowell and Andrew Lloyd Webber in an Edinburgh Fringe award. What is wrong with you? It's totally inappropriate. This is the place we go to escape them!"

Yesterday no one from Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award was available to comment.