John Kearns best newcomer

Bridget Christie has won the award for the best comedy show on the Edinburgh Fringe.

She became the third solo female winner of the award, previously called the Perrier, for her feminism-themed show A Bic For Her.

Accepting her award from Steve Coogan, Christie said: ‘I'd like to thank all the other female comics who were up here this year but not on the list... there are incredible women up here. I hope you don't mind me accepting this on your behalf.'

And she jokingly thanked Josie Long ‘for not coming this year,’ so opening the way for her victory.

Long herself tweeted: ‘Me and @isysuttie just celebrated like the winning goal at the World Cup at @bridgetchristie winning! Actual leaping and shouting!!’

Nica Burns, producer of the Foster’s Edinburgh Comefy Awards, said Christie’s show was ‘a beautifully written, delightfully delivered show from a consummate comic. While high on the laughter count, Bridget Christie’s show about feminism also gives us something to think about. An outstanding hour amongst an extremely strong shortlist.’

Also on the shortlist for the £10,000 prize were Seann Walsh, Carl Donnelly, James Acaster, Max & Ivan, Mike Wozniak, and Nick Helm.

John Kearns won the best newcomer title for his show Sight Gags for Perverts, on the Free Fringe.

In his acceptance speech in front of the comedy industry, Kearns said: ‘'There's a lot of people here I've had meetings with and they didn't want to sign me... well, fuck 'em. ‘

‘I honestly couldn't do it if it wasn't for the Free Fringe. I wasn't in the Big 4 programme, so what does that say - it doesn't matter. I have no representation or PR.’

Burns said: ‘John Kearns has funny bones. An anarchic one-off he brings a spirit of fun and unpredictability amongst the laughter. Definitely a star of tomorrow.

The other newcomer nominees were Aisling Bea,Liam Williams, Matt Okine and Romesh Ranganathan.

He receives £5,000, as does the Adrienne Truscott, who won the panel prize, reflecting the spirit of the Fringe.

Chair of the judging panel Tania Harrison, said Truscott’s show – Asking For It: A One Woman Lady Rape About Comedy Starring Her Pussy and Little Else! –  was 'brave, brutal, bold and beautiful’.

A cabaret star making her stand-up debut, Truscott spends much of her show naked from the waist down. She also won the Malcolm Hardee award for comic originality last night.

She said: 'I've never done stand-up and I've never done a solo show, but I'm a smart girl, so I thought "why not do that about rape?" It's a huge surprise that it's gone this well.’ Burns described the performance as ‘an extraordinary show combining stand-up and the imagination of performance art. An incredibly brave topic performed in delightfully playful and witty style.’

Bridget Christie follows in the footsteps of previous solo winners Jenny Eclair in 1995 and Laura Solon in 2005.

A total of 578 comedy shows were eligible for the three awards.

Read our reviews of Bridget Christie, John Kearns and Adrienne Truscott.

Published: 24 Aug 2013