US comic wins Fringe award

Controversial American stand-up Doug Stanhope has won a critics' award at the Edinburgh Fringe.

His fierce and intelligent comedy has won him the inaugural Strathmore Press Award for his week-long run at at the Tron

He receives £1,000 and - somehwat bizarrely - a profile in celebrity magazine OK.

Simon Messent, marketing manager for Strathmore Water said: "We are delighted to present the award to Doug Stanhope. His firebrand comedy has proved him to be not only funny but also a social commentator on some sensitive issues.

"This award has been voted for by members of the British press who traditionally are a tough audience to please, but Doug would appear to have won them over completely.

"Although everybody has their favourites and no-one is more passionate about that than the press, this award is a reflection of how acts that can be seen as being alternative or controversial will be judged on content rather than simply style."

A second award, based on audience votes, was won by Zipp, a guide to musicals starring former Tory MP Giles Brandreth.

Published: 22 Aug 2002