Craig Speirs becomes the final Chortle Hotshot of 2026
We have our five Fringe debutants tipped for the top
Craig Speirs has become the final Chortle Hotshot of 2026.
The up-and-coming Scottish stand-up wins help staging his Edinburgh Fringe debut, following a showcase at the city’s Monkey Barrel comedy club last night.
He draws humour from his upbringing in the Clydebank area and his experiences working in Glasgow. His Fringe debut will be called Problem Child and revolve around him being diagnosed late in life as having ADHD.
Our other Hotshots for this year are Sam Serrano, who won in Manchester, Kat Higgins (Birmingham), Omar Badawy (London) and Paul Hilleard (Bristol).
Here are the other acts who performed at Monkey Barrel last night:
Andrew Tubman
Belle Emilie Gold
Mick McNeill
Chris Rutter
Tasmin Sarkany as Amelia Crotchet
Alan Jay
Eva Peroni
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Published: 25 Mar 2026
