The Scotsman

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ASSEMBLY GILDED BALLOON PLEA SANCE UNDERBELLY

- By BRIAN FERGUSON Arts Correspond­ent

Frankie Boyle, Des Clarke, Richard Gadd, Fred Macaulay and Bruce Morton were among the big winners when the Scottish Comedy Awards were held in Edinburgh ahead of the Fringe launch.

Three-year-old Isla Nelson won two major honours with for the videos she makes with her stand-up father Mark for BBC Scotland’s website.

The revival of Still Game after a nine-year hiatus saw it edge out Two Doors Down and Scot Squad in the best TV category.

Breaking the News, BBC Scotland’s topical panel show, which is fronted by Clarke, was named best radio show, while he was named best radio comic. Boyle, who returned to the nation’s screens after a lengthy hiatus with BBC series New World Order, was named best TV comic.

Nelson, who has racked almost 100 million views for her take on topical issues, was named best actress ahead of Still Game favourite Jane Mccarry and two other BBC Scotland stars – Doon Mackichan of Two Doors Down and Scot Squad’s Karen Bartke.

Nelson’s News at 3 series was also awarded the best online comedy prize at the fourth annual ceremony, which has been moved in the calendar to coincide with the start of the festival season in Edinburgh.

Rising star Richard Gadd was given an outstandin­g a achievemen­t award for being the first Scottish winner of the main comedy award at the Fringe for 29 years, while the Monkey Barrel in Edinburgh was named Scotland’s best large comedy club less than a year after opening its doors.

Macaulay and Morton were honoured along with fellow “Funny Farm” members Parrot, Libby Macarthur, Stu Who and David Cosgrove as the collective which emerged from the Glasgow comedy scene in the 1980s received a lifetime achievemen­t award. Awards founder Alan Anderson said: “The last year was a stand out one for Scottish comedy. Richard Gadd being the first Scot in 29 years to win the Edinburgh Comedy Award was without doubt the highlight.

“There is a great pool of talent on the stand-up circuit with the likes of Susie Mccabe and Scott Agnew finally reaching the potential we’ve all predicted.

“Breaking the News has given a break to several excellent comedians and writers, proving that we can do satire better than London.

“However it’s on the small screen that Scotland is experienci­ng a vintage period thanks to the brilliant Uk-wide response to shows such as Two Doors Down, Scot Squad and Still Game.”

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