Masai Graham's pasta gag had Edinburgh Fringe audiences laughing themselves fusilli this year. And the pun-tastic joke earned the comedian the Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe award for the second time.
Apart from a two-year break due to the pandemic, the TV channel Dave has been running the contest for over a decade. A shortlist of ten rib-ticklers, drawn up by judges who attend hundreds of shows across the arts festival, are voted on by the public.
We've collated a list of winners since 2009. And it appears that Dave audiences just love their witty one-liners and snappy puns.
2022 - Masai Graham
“I tried to steal spaghetti from the shop, but the female guard saw me and I couldn’t get pasta”
2019 - Olaf Falafel
“I keep randomly shouting out 'Broccoli' and 'Cauliflower' - I think I might have florets.”
2018 - Adam Rowe
“Working at the job centre has to be a tense job: knowing that if you get fired, you still have to come in the next day.”
2017 - Ken Cheng
“I’m not a fan of the new pound coin, but then again, I hate all change.”
2016 - Masai Graham
“My dad has suggested that I register for a donor card. He’s a man after my own heart.”
2015 - Tommy Tiernan
“Two flies are playing football in a saucer. One says to the other, ‘Make an effort, we’re playing in the cup tomorrow.’”
2014 - Tim Vine
"I've decided to sell my Hoover… well, it was just collecting dust."
2013 - Rob Auton
"I heard a rumour that Cadbury is bringing out an oriental chocolate bar. Could be a Chinese Wispa."
2012 - Stewart Francis
“You know who really gives kids a bad name? Posh and Becks."
2011 - Nick Helm
"I needed a password eight characters long so I picked Snow White and the Seven Dwarves."
2010 - Tim Vine
“I’ve just been on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. I’ll tell you what, never again."
2009 - Dan Antopolski
“Hedgehogs. Why can’t they just share the hedge?”
