As Radio 4 announces another Fringe gala

The judging panel for this years Edinburgh Comedy Awards will be chaired by Liz Lewin, director of comedy series for Netflix UK.

It is the first time the streamer has been represented on the panel.

Lewin, pictured,  developed Derry Girls with Lisa McGee, while her other credits include   I Hate Suzie, The End of the F***ing World, Phoebe Waller Bridge’s Crashing and McGee’s How to Get to Heaven from Belfast. 

Previously a commissioner at Sky and  Channel Four, she said: ‘Each year, somewhere in Edinburgh, in a room without air conditioning, someone walks on with a mic, a willing techie and nerves of steel. Occasionally, they walk off having changed British comedy.

‘I see, at Netflix, just how far a distinctive comic voice can travel, and so many of those journeys begin at the Fringe. That's why I'm thrilled to be on this panel. We're looking for the act which only they could have written, the surprise you can't manufacture, and the live spark that makes an audience start laughing before they've quite worked out why.

‘The joy of Edinburgh is that you never quite know which room it's going to happen in – but I can't wait to find out.’

The other panelists announced today are:

• Sasha Bobak: comedy and entertainment producer, BBC Studios
• Sam Bryant: director of original content and head of comedy, Audible
• Amar Chauhan: public panellist
• Tristram Fane Saunders: freelance arts journalist and comedy critic, The Telegraph
• Isabelle Jackson: public panellist
• Dominic Maxwell: comedy and theatre critic for The Times and The Sunday Times
• Louise Robb: public panellist
• Anya Ryan: comedy and theatre critic at The Guardian, The Times, TimeOut, The Stage
• Darren Smith: creative director, DLT Entertainment

Edinburgh Comedy Awards director Nica Burns said the panel ‘brings broad experience from across the sector and a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to be an outstanding comedian’.

Meanwhile BBC Radio 4 has announced, for the third year, that it will air a showcase featuring nominees for the best comedy show and best newcomer awards. 

The gala will be produced by BBC Studios Audio, recorded at The Pleasance in Edinburgh and broadcast on Saturday August 29 at 11pm – just hours after this year’s winners are named.

 Commissioning editor Julia McKenzie, said: ‘We are delighted to again commission this special Edinburgh gala as part of BBC Radio 4’s commitment to live comedy and to showcase the next generation of comedy talent to our audience. I’m so looking forward to seeing what this year has in store.’

The best show award and panel prize are sponsored by Audible in an initial three-year deal, and best newcomer by the Taffner family, who set up DLT Entertainment. 

Published: 8 Jul 2026