Zoe Lyons takes award

Zoe Lyons officially has the funniest joke on the Edinburgh Fringe, after scooping a new award.

Her line: ‘I can't believe Amy Winehouse self-harms. She's so irritating she must be able to find someone to do it for her’ topped an online poll organised by digital TV channel Dave.

A panel of comedy critics drew up a shortlist of 30 jokes, which were then put up for a public vote. Brighton-based Lyons, 33, took the title – and £1,000 – after winning 12 per cent of the votes.

She said: ‘I’m absolutely delighted to have won the award. I know self-harming is not funny but it’s just a joke, so I'm not going to beat myself up about it!’

Second was Andrew Lawrence’s line: ‘Most of us have a skeleton in the cupboard. David Beckham takes his out in public.’

Third was Lloyd Langford’s: ‘My girlfriend said "Did you know that hippopotamuses kill more people every year than guns?". "Yes," I said, "but a gun is easier to conceal"

Published: 22 Aug 2008