Chris Cantrill, a writer for SNL UK, and Irish comedian Marty Gleeson have won the top prizes at the 46th Edinburgh Comedy Awards, taking home best comedy show and best newcomer respectively.
The awards were presented by previous winners Richard Gadd, who won best comedy in 2016, and Ayoade Bamgboye, who claimed the best newcomer award last year. Gadd is known for his work on Baby Reindeer and Half Man.
Cantrill's Winning Show
Cantrill was selected out of 550 eligible shows and claimed the best comedy show award for Rewilding, a “twisted tale” about how life in his peaceful countryside community was disrupted by a heinous act of vandalism.
The win, which included £10,000 in prize money, came on his fourth nomination. He was previously up for the award in 2019 and 2022 as part of the duo act The Delightful Sausage alongside comedian Amy Gledhill, as well as in 2024 for his solo show at the Fringe.
Gleeson's Newcomer Win
Gleeson was named best newcomer with her show Dog Ear, which was inspired by her time at art school in Limerick. The dry and surreal stand-up comic was a BBC New Comedian and Channel 4 Sean Lock finalist, and was also crowned the LGBTQ+ New Comedian of the Year in 2024.
Panel Prize and Judges' Comments
The ceremony also recognised the charity benefit show One Joke, where 60 comedians told one single joke before leaving the stage, with the panel prize for representing the “spirit of the Fringe”. The show was produced by Benjamin Alborough and Ellie BW of Liebenspiel. Both the best newcomer award and panel prize winners were awarded £5,000 each.
The winners were chosen by a panel of judges chaired by Liz Lewin, director of comedy series at Netflix UK, who said: “It was wonderful to be part of a judging panel and process that gave such careful, thorough and enjoyable consideration to such a range of outstanding comedians, any one of whom would have been a winner to be proud of.
“In Chris and Marty we see two very different but equally brilliant writers and performers who have both conjured something that only they could have.”
Edinburgh Comedy Awards director Nica Burns and executive director Emma Brunjes said in a joint statement: “In Chris and Marty we have two outstanding winners: both are exceptional comedians, writers and performers who have crafted wonderful shows to win the accolades of Best Comedy Show and Best Newcomer.
“There is so much talent at the Edinburgh Fringe and comedy is again the largest category this year. With so much talent to choose from, the judges’ debate was knowledgeable, exciting and passionate. Congratulations to Chris and Marty and all the comedians shortlisted – you are all terrific.”
