A one-liner joke about a sailing ship has been named the funniest at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival . Comedian Mark Simmons, who got into comedy more than a decade ago after his friend convinced him to do an open mic night, was chosen as the winner of the annual competition hosted by television channel U&Dave. In his winning gag, Simmons said: “I was going to sail around the globe in the world’s smallest ship, but I bottled it.
” Each year, the U&Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe is chosen by 2,000 members of the public from a shortlist drawn up by a judging panel made up of comedy critics. Simmons’ joke, taken from his PHB’s Free Fringe show at the Liquid Room Annexe, was ranked the best by 40 per cent of those surveyed. Simmons said of his victory: “I’m really chuffed to win U&Dave’s Funniest Joke of the Fringe.
“I needed some good news as I was just fired from my job marking exam papers, can’t understand it, I always gave 110 per cent.” A previous gag told by the comedian was voted the second best joke at the festival in 2022 and he has also placed sixth and ninth in the contest. The comedian joins other winners Tim Vine, Stewart Francis and Zoe Lyons, who have been recipients of the award, which is now in its 15th year.
Last year, Lorna Rose Treen took home the prize with her gag about an unfaithful zookeeper, which was ranked one of the best by 44 per cent of those surveyed. She said: “I started dating a zookeeper, but it turned out he .