Edinburgh Fringe has popular feature SCRAPPED from festival after 18 years
NO JOKE Edinburgh Fringe has popular feature SCRAPPED from festival after 18 years
THE 'Funniest joke of the Fringe' award has been scrapped from this year's Edinburgh Festival - after 18 years of pun-heavy gags.
U&Dave's annual award has been scrapped - with the TV station behind the gong saying it is "resting".
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Comedian Lorna Rose Treen became the first woman to pick up the award since 2008
Credit: PA
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Tim Vine also previously won the award
Credit: PA:Press Association
UKTV, which has run the contest every year since 2008, except during the pandemic, said it was "incredibly proud" of the legacy of the award "and the laughter it has inspired".
Previous winners have included Tim Vine, Olaf Falafal and Zoe Lyons.
And Lorna Rose Treen became the first woman to pick up the award since 2008.
Last year's winner was comedian Mark Simmons.
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He scooped the award with the joke: "I was going to sail around the globe in the world's smallest ship but I bottled it."
UKTV added: "As our commissioning focus evolves, we are taking the opportunity to reflect on how we continue to support comedy in the best way possible.
While we're resting the award this year, we'll always look for ways to bring laughter to audiences in exciting ways
UKTV
"While we're resting the award this year, we remain committed to championing great comedy across U&Dave and beyond.
"And we'll always look for ways to bring laughter to audiences in exciting ways."
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Comedian Olaf Falafel, who has won the award seven times, said the closure of the awards was "sad", referencing one of his winning jokes.
He said: "From a personal point of view, it's sad that an avenue for championing joke writing has closed.
Edinburgh Fringe tourist wins year worth of free beer
"But as my dad used to say to me: 'Pints, gallons, litres,' which I think speaks volumes."
In 2015, it was claimed the winning joke by Darren Walsh was "stolen" from another comedian.
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The U&Dave award is separate to the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, which have run since 1981.
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