Yorkshire Scores Double Win at Edinburgh Comedy Awards

The winners of the 2024 Edinburgh comedy awards have been announced, marking a significant victory for Yorkshire. Hull’s Amy Gledhill received the Don and Eleanor Taffner Best Comedy Show award, while Huddersfield’s Joe Kent-Walters was named the DLT Entertainment Best Newcomer.

“Yorkshire ‘til we die!” exclaimed the pair, both University of Leeds alumni, shortly after the ceremony.

Gledhill, nominated for the fourth time this year after previous nods for her solo show and as part of the Delightful Sausage duo, was overwhelmed. “I feel like I’m in a coma and I’m about to be woken up,” she said.

Nica Burns, director of the Edinburgh comedy awards, praised their innate comedic talent. “Our two winners this year share one thing: funny bones. They have a gift for comedy and have honed how best to use it. Their comedy speaks to everyone – they are both clearly on their way to major stardom. I predict in a few years’ time they will be household names.”

Gledhill’s show, *Make Me Look Fit on the Poster*, explores self-esteem. The Guardian’s Brian Logan described it as “blunt northern mockery and good cheer … a delightful hour of standup.”

Burns added, “It is a show packed with jokes and so much heart that everyone in the audience falls utterly in love with her.”

In her acceptance speech, Gledhill praised Chris Cantrill, the other half of Delightful Sausage, and admitted she didn’t expect to win. “Not even a percent, to the extent that I was very relaxed the whole day, couldn’t wait to hear the speech of whoever won. The only downside, there’s not been that many people who’ve been nominated five times. But my journey has ended, four and out, I’m done!”

Joe Kent-Walters, in his debut show *Frankie Monroe: LIVE!!!*, performed as a sinister working-men’s club proprietor who’s made a deal with the devil to keep his establishment open. His late-night shows sold out fast, and he becomes the first character comedian to win either award since 2018.

Kent-Walters, who also won last year’s BBC New Comedy Award, expressed gratitude to his “comedy family,” Mikey Bligh-Smith and Freddie Hayes. “Character or not, I think it’s a win for the weirdos,” he said, “It’s nice to have proof that it’s OK to do something a bit different.”

Burns was impressed, “It is hard to believe this is Joe’s first fringe hour. Joe draws on a range of skills including pantomime, musical comedy, and standup to bring you into Frankie’s world. Like many of the greats, everyone who has seen him this year will boast in future years.”

The Victoria Wood Award, recognizing the performer who best represents the “spirit of the fringe,” was given to Rob Copland. His show *Gimme (One With Everything)* generated significant buzz, leading to long queues at his PBH Free Fringe venue Banshee Labyrinth.

Copland had thought he missed his shot when the shortlist was announced, but was overjoyed when he received the news. “It’s surreal. I can’t get my head around it. My mum took me to see Victoria Wood as a kid and I remember it so well, it’s so crazy that it feels like it’s come around.”

Nana Hughes, head of scripted comedy at ITV and chair of the judging panel, praised the spirit of the fringe. “A show can break through and find an audience here. Recommendations from strangers in queues for other shows can lead to exciting new discoveries. This is the true spirit of the fringe. Our Victoria Wood Award winner, Rob Copland, seized this spirit with both hands, in a performance which barely pauses for breath.”

Copland, thanking his wife and family on stage, emphasized the importance of creative freedom. “I truly believe that the fringe should be fringe-y and the artists at the centre should be given the freedom to create stuff without pressure. The way that I have always wanted to do it is to nurture and shield creativity from the machine.”

The Edinburgh comedy awards, founded by Burns in 1981, have highlighted many rising stars over the decades, including Eddie Izzard and the League of Gentlemen, Bridget Christie, and Richard Gadd. This year’s ceremony was hosted by Richard Osman and last year’s best show winner, Ahir Shah.

“One of the real joys of the Edinburgh fringe is the extraordinary new stories,” said Osman. “You’re making people laugh, so thank you for that.”

Source: The Guardian