British comedian Sam Nicoresti has made history at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe by becoming the first transgender performer to win the festival’s Best Comedy Show award. Her show Baby Doomer, a fast-paced exploration of trans life filled with sharp humor and heart, earned her the top prize of £10,000 and a place among the festival’s most celebrated names.
Sharp, Self-Aware, and Honestly Funny
Critics are raving. The Guardian spotlighted the show’s hilarity rooted in a mortifying changing‑room mishap, delivering sharp reflections on identity with a gleefully irreverent edge and a promise of funding for Nicoresti’s upcoming wedding, as quipped during her acceptance.
Meanwhile, The Times praised the show’s biting wit, noting standout material like a “legroom on the OceanGate submersible” joke and an evocative story about opting for a holiday instead of freezing sperm, a vivid metaphor that perfectly complements the show’s title.
Newcomer Star: Ayoade Bamgboye
This year also saw Ayoade Bamgboye become the first Black woman to win the Best Newcomer award for her show Swings and Roundabouts. Blending Lagos childhood memories with everyday life in London, her debut sparkled with emotional honesty.
Bamgboye spoke bravely about performing identity without needing to prove her worth, “No one is asking you to prove you’re funny… they’re there to have a good time and to listen.”
A Shift Beyond the Gag
This year’s awards signaled a cultural shift: the long-standing “funniest joke” prize was retired, moving the focus toward authentic voices and storytelling. The prestigious Victoria Wood Award recognizing the Fringe’s spirit went to Comedy Club 4 Kids, highlighting the breadth of talent the festival nurtures.
Why It Matters
With Nicoresti and Bamgboye both breaking new ground, the Edinburgh Fringe reinforces its role as a launchpad for bold, diverse comedic voices. The Guardian noted that Nicoresti’s grounded, joyful approach to trans experience “captures the hearts of mainstream audiences.”
Meanwhile, The Times admired the energy and gag-packed pace of Baby Doomer, calling it a “caustic celebration of the absurdity and necessity of trying to be true to who you are.”
