Now every nominee gets £100

Garry Starr has donated £1,600 to the prize fund of the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

It means every act nominated for best show and best newcomer will receive £100 - but on condition they attend the ceremony on Friday night to pick up their money.

An extra £100 will go to a show that was not included on the longlists, receiving the Garry Starr Very Very Silly and Not-Longlisted Prize.

Starr - the creation of Australian comedian Damien Warren-Smith –  said: ‘I love the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards and thought - how can I back them?  With something silly like this.  Awards are lovely and silly and let’s reward the lovely and silly.'

Awards founder Nathan Cassidy said: ‘Garry Starr is a total inspiration, and to have such an incredible performer and beautiful human being backing us is utterly tremendous.’

The new sponsorship takes the total ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards prize fund to £17,600.01.

Published: 25 Aug 2026