And nominees will be showcased on Radio 4

The judging panel for this year’s Edinburgh Comedy Award has been revealed – as Radio 4 asounced  it will air a show featuring the nominees.

The programme will be recorded at the Gilded Balloon and be hosted by last year’s best comedy show winner, Amy Gledhill. It will be broadcast on Radio 4 on Thursday August 21 at 11pm.

Meanwhile, Audible’s comedy commissioner Sam Bryant will chair the judging panel for the awards, as they celebrate their 45th year. It is the first time an audio streaming platform has been represented on the panel.

He is joined by:

Josh Buckingham: Executive producer, Hat Trick Productions
Ashley Davies: Freelance arts journalist, Metro, Times Scotland, Scotsman
Shukri Dire: Development producer, BBC TalentWorks
Tristram Fane Saunders: Freelance journalist and comedy critic, The Telegraph and Editor of The Little Review
Rachael Healy: Freelance comedy and theatre writer, The Guardian and The Observer
James Robinson: Executive producer, BBC Studios Audio
Janet Jackson: Public panellist
Krishna Kapur: Public panellist
Justine Teasdale: Public panellist

The 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Awards are co-sponsored by  its producer Nica Burns, Donald Taffner J of DLT Entertainment and the Victoria Wood Foundation.

The ‘spirit of the Fringe’ Panel Prize, awarded at the discretion of the judges to the act that best captures the essence of the Fringe is now known as the Victoria Wood Award.

Burns said: ‘Spotlighting the best up-and-coming talent at the Edinburgh Fringe is a huge privilege, which we take very seriously. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is, and always will be, the world showcase for comedy talent and every year we look forward to discovering the next generation of comedy stars. Looking forward to a bumper festival for all!’

Taffner, added: ‘The Edinburgh Comedy Awards are the most prestigious honours in comedy, and supporting them is deeply personal for me. 

‘My parents founded DLT Entertainment 62 years ago, and I grew up in a household that believed in nurturing talent and celebrating laughter. The Fringe is the highlight of my year — and yes, I still try to beat my own record for shows seen.

 ‘DLT Entertainment is proud to sponsor the best newcomer award, championing the rising stars just starting to make their mark. And through the Taffner Family Trust’s support of the Taffner Family best comedy show, we honour a family tradition of backing brilliant performers who keep pushing comedy forward.'

Published: 26 Jul 2025