Gilbert leads bookies' field

Rhod Gilbert is the bookmakers’ favourite to win the if.comedy award.

Ladbrokes have his Award-Winning Mince Pie show as 5/4 favourite to take the top prize at the Edinburgh Fringe.

David O'Doherty's Let's Comedy is second favourite at 2/1, followed by Russell Kane at 7/2. Kristen Schaal and Kurt Braunohler are the outsiders at 6/1

David Williams of Ladbrokes said: ‘Rhod Gilbert is a class apart. The acclaim for his Fringe show has been enormous and he's going to take some beating.

‘The shortlist looks strong but we've written off the Americans. They couldn't hold a candle to the Welshman.’

The nominees for best newcomer are:

Mike Wozniak
Pippa Evans and Other Lonely People
Sarah Millican's Not Nice

Awards producer Nica Burns said: ‘In a year where a number of shows made it to the final animated discussion the four nominees presented shows which combined outstanding material and performance in a shortlist which offers something comedic for everyone: David O'Doherty's effortless charm with song, Americans Kristen and Kurt's utterly quirky and unique double-act, Welshman Rhod Gilbert, whose perfectly structured, gag-packed show has moved him into a new league and livewire stand-up Russell Kane's brilliantly energetic celebration of family, relationships and life's imperfections.

‘The newcomer nomination list reflects the extremely talented crop of new performers. We are delighted to see two highly impressive women amongst the three nominees: Pippa Evans, a wonderful character comic who also writes and performs songs and Sarah Millican a classic stand-up with an outstanding command of the audience. The third nominee Mike Wozniak stand-up show is a striking hour demonstrating writing and performing skills that make him, along with the others, a name to watch.’

The winner will be announced on Saturday night.

The panel who chose the shortlist was chaired bt Bruce Dessau, comedy critic of the London Evening Standard, and included Tim Arthur from Time Out, Julian Hall from The Independent, Victoria Payne from TalkbackThames, Karen Rosie from BBC TV, Paul Schlesinger from BBC radio, freelance journalist Jonathan Trew and comedy fans Rosanna Bond, Alison Leitch and Jude Stone.

Published: 21 Aug 2008