NextUp has announced that the winner of the Biggest Award in Comedy at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2022 is Jordan Gray with her phenomena sell-out show ‘Is It a Bird?’.

The competition was designed to discover the best comedy show of the Fringe.The winner was decided by audience voting and a panel of NextUp judges over the last three weeks.

Jordan receives a 2 metre inflatable trophy (literally the biggest award in comedy), plus:

• an electric pump and a carry case so the award can be proudly displayed anywhere

• £500 

• a headline slot at London’s famous Comedy Store

• The option to have their special recorded for the NextUp Platform

On hearing she won, Jordan said: “As a child of divorce, you grow up assuming there will never be anything big enough to fill the hole in your heart. Then NextUp Comedy comes along with a FAT OFF 7ft inflatable trophy and suddenly I feel whole again. I have loved watching Next Up flourish over the course of this Fringe and I am so so grateful to be on their radar. This has been the best month of my life."

The three runners up for the award are Home Truths’ by Kiri Pritchard-McLean, ‘Butch Ado About Nothing’ by Grace Petrie and cult hit ‘The Dark Room’ by John Robertson.

Sarah Henley,  co-founder of NextUp says: “Jordan’s show was one of the first I saw this fringe and it blew my mind - I’m thrilled she’s won. The sheer talent distilled into one person has to be seen to be believed… incredible vocal talent and musical ability, smart and hilarious jokes and a winning personality…she deserves to be as huge as the award!”. 

Alex Hall, Senior Programmer & Producer at Assembly Festival says: “I first saw Jordan take the roof off Late ‘n’ Live a few years ago, so when Stamptown said they were producing her show we pretty much offered her a slot on the spot.  She’s a truly electric performer, it’s been an extraordinary month for her and we’re delighted to be able to witness her meteoric rise first hand!”

Jordan Gray: Is It a Bird? has extra shows at Assembly Festival on Friday 26th and Saturday 27th August, 4:45pm in the Palais du Variété spiegeltent in Assembly George Square Gardens. Tickets available from assemblyfestival.com. 

Gray is also nominated for Dave's Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show - the winner is announced on Saturday, August 27. Results here.

As well as organising the Biggest Award in Comedy, NextUp have live streamed over 60 shows from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Upcoming live shows include Tony Law (25th), Abandoman (25th), Shazia Mirza (26th) and Kiri Pritchard-Mclean (28th).