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 the last 11 performers to have win the trophy - and what they've been up to since.
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.
![Shining a light on preposterous misogyny in 'A Bic For Her'. Bridget Christie lifted the coveted trophy in 2013. She now tours to huge audiences, is an award-winning columnist and author, and recently saw her first television series Her first television series, 'The Change', broadcast on Channel 4 to great acclaim.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/22/8/christie.jpg?crop=3:2&width=698)
9. Bridget Christie
Shining a light on preposterous misogyny in 'A Bic For Her'. Bridget Christie lifted the coveted trophy in 2013. She now tours to huge audiences, is an award-winning columnist and author, and recently saw her first television series Her first television series, 'The Change', broadcast on Channel 4 to great acclaim. | Contributed
![Doctor Brown's clowning show 'Befrdfgth' was the first time physical comedy had been recognised by the Comedy Award judges in 2012. Also known as Philip Burgers, he recently appeared in fellow comic Mae Martin's sitcom 'Feel Good'.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/22/8/dr_brown.jpg?crop=3:2&width=680)
10. Doctor Brown
Doctor Brown's clowning show 'Befrdfgth' was the first time physical comedy had been recognised by the Comedy Award judges in 2012. Also known as Philip Burgers, he recently appeared in fellow comic Mae Martin's sitcom 'Feel Good'. | Contributed
![Adam Riches was judged to be the best of the best in 2011 for the audience participation-heavy 'Bring Me the Head of Adam Riches'. He used his Sean Bean comic persona to great effect on panel show '8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown', and he's returned to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year with two shows.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2023/08/22/8/riches.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
11. Adma Riches
Adam Riches was judged to be the best of the best in 2011 for the audience participation-heavy 'Bring Me the Head of Adam Riches'. He used his Sean Bean comic persona to great effect on panel show '8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown', and he's returned to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year with two shows. | Contributed