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Poet wins Edinburgh comedy prize Poet named Edinburgh comedy king
(30 minutes later)
This year's Edinburgh Fringe comedy award has been won by Tim Key for his show The Slutcracker.This year's Edinburgh Fringe comedy award has been won by Tim Key for his show The Slutcracker.
The show features the comedian reciting poetry alongside what he has described as "bits and pieces of variety". The 32-year-old, from Cambridge, performs a "confused procession of idiosyncratic poetry and prose".
The awards, formerly known as the Perriers and the If.comedies, have been the launch pad for a string of new comedy stars since 1981.The awards, formerly known as the Perriers and the If.comedies, have been the launch pad for a string of new comedy stars since 1981.
But they are currently without a sponsor for the first time in their history. The best newcomer award was won by Jonny Sweet. The panel prize went to Peter Buckley Hill's Free Fringe.
About 400 shows were eligible for the award, with the shortlist including Tom Wrigglesworth, Tim Key, Russell Kane and Idiots of Ants. It was judged to have embodied the spirit of the Fringe.
About 400 shows were eligible for the main award, with the shortlist including Tom Wrigglesworth, Russell Kane and Idiots of Ants.
There is a lot of sex. I would not say I distance myself completely from the slut tag Tim KeyThere is a lot of sex. I would not say I distance myself completely from the slut tag Tim Key
The other nominees for the award - this year called The Eddies - were John Bishop and Jon Richardson.The other nominees for the award - this year called The Eddies - were John Bishop and Jon Richardson.
"Star" names, who have already had TV series or can perform in a 500-seat venue under their own name, were not eligible."Star" names, who have already had TV series or can perform in a 500-seat venue under their own name, were not eligible.
Speaking before the award ceremony, Key, originally from Cambridge, told BBC Scotland his poems were about "death, sex and dew", and were not from personal experience. Speaking before the award ceremony, Key told BBC Scotland his poems were about "death, sex and dew", and were not from personal experience.
The 32-year-old comic added: "They are frivolous, stupid poems mainly.The 32-year-old comic added: "They are frivolous, stupid poems mainly.
"There is a lot of sex. I would not say I distance myself completely from the slut tag."There is a lot of sex. I would not say I distance myself completely from the slut tag.
"Two years ago it was more slutty - this time it is more charming sluttiness.""Two years ago it was more slutty - this time it is more charming sluttiness."
Golden ageGolden age
Key received an £8,000 prize, as well as invitations to appear at international comedy festivals in Montreal, Toronto and Chicago.Key received an £8,000 prize, as well as invitations to appear at international comedy festivals in Montreal, Toronto and Chicago.
The best newcomer award was won by Jonny Sweet, who picked up £4,000.
The comedy award was first made in 1981 to a Cambridge Footlights cast which included Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tony Slattery and Emma Thompson - all future comedy stars.The comedy award was first made in 1981 to a Cambridge Footlights cast which included Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Tony Slattery and Emma Thompson - all future comedy stars.
Its golden age came in the early 90s when it was won by Frank Skinner, Steve Coogan and Lee Evans.Its golden age came in the early 90s when it was won by Frank Skinner, Steve Coogan and Lee Evans.
Awards producer Nica Burns has spent about £120,000 of her own money this year to keep the prize going without a sponsor. Awards producer Nica Burns has spent about £150,000 of her own money this year to keep the prize going without a sponsor.