Tim Key wins main Edinburgh prize

Tim Key has been named the winner of the main prize at this year's Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

The performance poet won the £8,000 accolade - formerly known as the Perrier - for his 2009 show The Slutcracker.

Key said: "It means quite a lot, it's like a nice big panel of people that think my show is good and I guess it reflects that my show was all right this year."

Producer of the awards Nica Burns said: "Tim Key is a one-off, an adorably diffident performance poet and stand-up.

"His charming show is full of surprises. Tim has funny bones and is a star in the making."

Key has appeared on Charlie Brooker's Screenwipe and also worked with Armando Iannucci on Time Trumpet.

The committee of seven judges and three comedygoers also named Jonny Sweet as best newcomer for his Mostly About Arthur show and gave the panel prize to Free Fringe organiser Peter Buckley-Hill.