Every year we look with nervous anticipation for an all-female scoop in the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, (now not to be confused with the new kid on the block, the Jones Bootmaker Edinburgh Comedy Awards, where we shared the Panel prize this year). Imagine our delight when Amy Gledhill was anounced as the winner of the Don and Eleanor Taffner Best Comedy Show for Make Me Look Fit on the Poster.
The finalists were announced on Thursday 22nd August, and Amy was recognised alongside three other Funny Women Awards alumni including Catherine Bohart, Sarah Keyworth and Abby Wambaugh.
The winners were announced two days later on Saturday 24th August at a ceremony in the city hosted by Ahir Shah and Richard Osman. The awards, founded in 1981 are sponsored by DLT Entertainment and The Victoria Wood Foundation.
The full list of nominees for the Don and Eleanor Taffner Best Comedy Show prize were: Catherine Bohart: Again, With Feelings, Chris Cantrill: Easily Swayed, Josh Glanc: Family Man, Natalie Palamides: WEER, Reuben Kaye: Live and Intimidating, and Sarah Keyworth: My Eyes Are Up Here.
Abby Wambaugh completed our lucky sweep with her DLT Best Newcomer nomination for her show The First 3 Minutes of 17 Shows – which demonstrated why she was a Funny Women Stage Award finalist in 2021. The remaining nominations were: Demi Adejuyigbe is Going To Do One (1) Backflip, Jack Skipper: Skint, Jin Hao Li: Swimming in a Submarine and won by Joe Kent-Walters for Joe Kent-Walters is Frankie Monroe: LIVE!!!
Speaking to the British Comedy Guide about Amy’s win, Nica Burns CBE, Director of the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, said: ‘Amy Gledhill’s s show is joyful, delightful and full of laughter. The panel loved the fact that she blends writing that echoes the genius of Victoria Wood combined with the magical physicality of Julie Walters. It is a show packed with jokes and so much heart that everyone in the audience falls utterly in love with her and has a wonderful time.’
Funny Women founder Lynne Parker reminisces in last year’s BBC Radio 4 documentary 20 Years of Funny Women about seeing Amy’s first stand up performance at a Funny Women Awards heat. Amy also recalls the moment from her personal perspective in the same programme.
‘It’s very life affirming when somebody so talented goes on to win more accolades and awards,’ says Lynne. ‘Amy’s participation in the documentary meant so much to me as I’ve always kept an eye on her progress. It doesn’t surprise me that she’s now such a star.’
With thanks to British Comedy Guide for image of Amy Gledhill and quote by Nica Burns CBE.
