On August 23, 2025, the world of comedy witnessed a historic moment at the Edinburgh Fringe, as British comedian Sam Nicoresti was named the winner of the Taffner Family Best Comedy Show prize at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. In its 45th year, the prestigious award—often credited with launching the careers of comedy greats like Stephen Fry, Steve Coogan, and Eddie Izzard—honored Nicoresti not only for her sharp wit and relatable humor but also as the first transgender person ever to claim the top prize in the award’s history, according to BBC and The Guardian.
Nicoresti’s show, Baby Doomer, has been described as a “glistening new stand-up show” that delves into life as a trans woman with a unique blend of self-deprecating humor and heartfelt storytelling. The Guardian gave the show four stars, calling it “an ebullient hour with a sky-high joke count.” The performance, which Nicoresti describes as partly a love letter to her fiancée, stood out for its ability to make deeply personal experiences feel universal and effortlessly relatable—a quality that The Telegraph likened to the comedic styles of Simon Amstell and James Acaster.
During her acceptance speech for the £10,000 prize, Nicoresti reflected on her journey with a touch of humor and gratitude. “A year ago my girlfriend asked me to marry her,” she said. “In the pub afterwards, we were talking about how to pay for the wedding. I joked and said, ‘It’s easy, I’ll just win the Edinburgh Comedy Award.’ This is the best punchline.” She added, “Winning the award sure is swell, I’m super excited and stoked and jazzed. I did this for the queers making weird art, and it’s a privilege to share this moment with the first all female line-up of award winners.”
This year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards were marked by several firsts and a palpable sense of change. Ayoade Bamgboye, another standout performer, won the DLT Entertainment Best Newcomer Award—becoming the first black woman to do so—for her show Swings and Roundabouts. Bamgboye’s debut, which draws on her experiences moving from Nigeria to the UK, was praised as “electric” and “constantly keeping you on your toes,” according to Nica Burns, director of the Edinburgh Comedy Awards. The show explores themes of identity, belonging, and the particular challenges faced by those whose circumstances of birth shape their lives in unexpected ways.
Bamgboye spoke candidly to BBC News about the impact of her work and the response from audiences. “The reception has been more and better than I could have dreamed,” she said. “No one is asking you to prove you’re funny, they’re there to have a good time and to listen. It’s always important to be doing this craft, throwing my hat into the ring and to be recognised in this way is just the start of something—not just for me but for people who look like me.”
The 2025 awards also saw the Victoria Wood Award—granted to those who “embody the true spirit of the Fringe”—go to Comedy Club 4 Kids, an organization with a twenty-year legacy of bringing comedy to young audiences and running workshops in Edinburgh. The £5,000 prize will fund an access programme for disadvantaged children in the city, a move that The Telegraph praised as an investment in the future of comedy.
This year, the Edinburgh Fringe made a notable change by scrapping the annual award for funniest joke, a mainstay of the festival for nearly two decades. Instead, the focus was placed firmly on the performers and their ability to connect with audiences. Nica Burns, reflecting on the significance of the 2025 winners, remarked, “Our 2025 winners capture the spirit of comedy right now: bold, brilliant, and deeply connected to audiences. In very different ways, they’ve each created shows that feel utterly of this moment, sparking laughter while saying something lasting. Together, they remind us why the Fringe matters, a place where the freshest voices can shine. The future of British comedy is in excellent hands.”
Burns continued her praise for Nicoresti, stating, “Sam Nicoresti’s Baby Doomer is a masterfully woven, polished and delightfully human show that captures an essential moment with, to paraphrase her words, laughs by the seconds. Packed with relatable set pieces that linger long after, Sam is a fresh, bright voice that we need in 2025.” For Bamgboye, Burns described her debut hour as “electric, constantly keeping you on your toes. What begins as an everyday anecdote about the Co-op unfolds into a rich, often surreal world, layered with profound emotional depth.”
The shortlist for the Taffner Family Best Comedy Show prize was described as the “stars of tomorrow,” featuring acts such as Dan Tiernan: All In, Ed Night: Your Old Mucker, Ian Smith: Foot Spa Half Empty, John Tothill: This Must Be Heaven, Katie Norris: Go West, Old Maid, Sam Jay: We The People, and Creepy Boys: SLUGS. While this year’s nominations drew some criticism for the absence of Scottish acts, the recognition given to Comedy Club 4 Kids was seen as a nod to the festival’s commitment to inclusivity and nurturing new talent.
Beyond the glitz of the awards, the 2025 Fringe was noted for a wave of shows tackling health crises and personal challenges, reflecting a broader trend in comedy toward vulnerability and authenticity. Nicoresti’s own set includes reflections on the NHS and her experiences with PTSD, while other nominees explored everything from appendicitis to eating disorders, showing that comedy remains a powerful tool for processing and sharing the complexities of life.
The Edinburgh Comedy Awards, established in 1981, have long been recognized as the most prestigious prizes in the comedy world. Past winners have gone on to shape the landscape of British and international comedy, and the 2025 ceremony reinforced the festival’s role as a launchpad for bold new voices. As the awards celebrated their 45th year, the message was clear: comedy is evolving, and the stage is open to those willing to tell their stories with honesty, humor, and heart.
With Nicoresti’s trailblazing victory and Bamgboye’s groundbreaking debut, this year’s Edinburgh Fringe has set a new standard for representation, creativity, and the power of laughter to unite and inspire. For audiences and aspiring comedians alike, the future of comedy looks brighter—and more inclusive—than ever before.
