Mark Simmons has been crowned the winner of the Edinburgh Fringe’s Funniest Joke award, recognised for his clever one-liner.
The joke, which has delighted audiences at his PHB’s Free Fringe show at the Liquid Room Annexe, was selected by a public panel from a shortlist curated by comedy critics.
His winning joke was: “I was going to sail around the globe in the world’s smallest ship but I bottled it.”
The award, presented by television channel U&Dave, is in its 15th year and has previously been won by comedy greats like Tim Vine and Stewart Francis.
This year, Simmons’ joke emerged victorious, earning the top spot with 40 percent of the public vote from a survey of 2,000 people.
Simmons, who began his comedy journey over a decade ago, has seen his jokes place in the top 10 of this award in previous years but had never secured the top prize until now.
Expressing his delight, he joked: “I needed some good news as I was just fired from my job marking exam papers. Can’t understand it, I always gave 110%.”
Simmons’ winning joke wasn’t his only contribution to the shortlist.
Another of his gags: “I love the Olympics. My friend and I invented a new type of relay baton. Well, he came up with the idea, I ran with it,” also made the cut.
Other notable mentions include Chelsea Birkby’s Wetherspoons quip: “British etiquette is confusing. Why is it highbrow to look at boobs in an art gallery but lowbrow when I get them out in Spoons?”
And Arthur Smith’s joke gag: “I sailed through my driving test. That’s why I failed it.”
Cherie Hall, U&Dave’s channel director, praised the diverse humor represented in this year’s list.
She said: “This year’s top 15 list features a hilarious blend of jokes that are sure to keep us laughing until the next joke of the fringe.”
Mark Simmons’ show, More Jokes, continues at the Liquid Rooms Annexe until Saturday, August 24th, offering fans a chance to enjoy more of his award-winning humour.