Based on crowd-pleasing sets

Joe da Costa has been crowned the first Edinburgh Fringe Comedian of The Year, scooping a £1,000 prize

The competition followed a knockout format for stand-ups performing sets rather than being based on full shows.

More than 300 comics entered, with 100 selected to perform in 18 heats across the festival. Vlad Ilich, Bennet Kavanagh, Henry Bretz, and Aditya Gautam also made tonight’s final at the Three Sisters, Cowgate.

All judging throughout was done entirely by audience votes.

The competition was organised by comic Will Mars through his Need To Know Comedy company. 

He said: ‘This competition is about finding the funniest comedian with a set that’s TV-ready and packed with the kind of punch that makes audiences everywhere want more. 

‘At the Fringe, there are awards for newcomers, for jokes, and for full shows — but this one is all about stand-ups who can walk on stage, deliver big laughs fast, and leave the room wanting them back again. 

‘Joe da Costa is a brilliant first winner — he’s sharp, original, and he brought the house down.’

The final will be  released on Need To Know Comedy’s YouTube channel tomorrow morning.

Published: 24 Aug 2025