Birmingham comic takes home the 201cm NextUp trophy

Lindsey Santoro has won the ‘biggest award in comedy’ at the Edinburgh Fringe.

The Brummie stand-up won the 201cm tall inflatable trophy plus £500 cash given out by streaming service NextUp fro her debut show Pink Tinge.

She said: ‘What on earth is going on? I am absolutely thrilled to bits! As a daft commoner, I'm so elated that others find me funny rather than unhinged - it's a fine line and it's good to know I'm just about on the right side of it.

‘What am I meant to do with this giant trophy? I'm going to have to leave my toddler in Edinburgh so I can wedge it in the car.

‘Thank you so much Next Up! Overjoyed! What a wild ride this Fringe has been’

The three runners-up for the award are Crushing by Ian Smith, Hubba Hubba by Tom Lawrinson and Feral’ by Louise Young. 

The winners was decided by audience voting and a panel of NextUp judges.

Amy Williams, a Poroducer at NextUp added: ‘Lindsey had us crying with laughter from the smear test material all the way to the end of her show. She’s so at home on stage and so joyful in her delivery, you can’t help but love her.

‘The runners up all had incredible shows too. Crushing was written and delivered to perfection by Ian (we think he’s about to blow), Tom Lawrinson’s unique take leading to totally unexpected punchlines had us in stitches - the Harry Potter material was gold. And Louise Young’s Feral was another absolutely brilliant debut, with hilarious stories drawn from Louise’s chaotic life. It’s been a fantastic Fringe.’

Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast sponsored the awad and Santoro will be offered a slot at a future show. Herring said: 'RHLSTP is very proud to have supported the biggest prize in comedy and the only award to find objectively the actual best shows at the Fringe.

‘Congrats to Lindsey and all the runners-up who will hopefully all be guests on RHLSTP at some point. Please don’t let the prize money ruin your life - spend it wisely.’

NextUp have livestreamed more than 60 shows from the Fringe. Upcoming live shows include Sikisa, Phil Ellis  and Dan Tiernan.

Published: 25 Aug 2023