2012 Edinburgh Fringe

Top 10 jokes at the Edinburgh Fringe 2012

Stewart Francis

The results of the annual Dave Award for the Funniest Joke of the Fringe have been announced.

This year the award goes to Stewart Francis, who delivered the following gag about David Beckham and Victoria Beckham: "You know who really gives kids a bad name? Posh and Becks".

Francis, who is already well known for his one-liners and a regular on Mock The Week, is performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in a show called Return of the Lumberjacks. The show marks a reunion for Francis with fellow Canadian comics Craig Campbell and Glenn Wool, as the trio made their Edinburgh debut together 15 years ago. Although born in Canada, both of Stewart's parents are British and he lives in the UK full time with his Scottish wife.

Upon accepting the award, Stewart said: "1969 West Mall Soccer Association's Most Valuable Player, and now this... thank you, Dave."

The award, which has been running for five years, is organised by digital channel Dave. It enlisted the help of ten comedy critics to compile a list of gags, with the top 30 then put to a public vote. The poll of 3,000 comedy fans resulted in Francis' joke getting just over a fifth of the overall scores.

Stewart Francis has actually managed to get two jokes into this year's Top 10, and notably former winner Tim Vine is yet again in the Top 10 too, twice as well.

The full top ten is:

Return of the Lumberjacks (Back by Poplar Demand). Image shows from L to R: Glenn Wool, Stewart Francis, Craig Campbell

#1. Stewart Francis:
You know who really gives kids a bad name? Posh and Becks.

The Tim Vine Chat Show. Tim Vine. Copyright: Thames Television

#2. Tim Vine:
Last night me and my girlfriend watched three DVDs back to back. Luckily I was the one facing the telly.

Will Marsh's Ruination. Will Marsh

#3. Will Mars:
I was raised as an only child, which really annoyed my sister.

Rob Beckett's Summer Holiday. Rob Beckett

#4. Rob Beckett:
You know you're working class when your TV is bigger than your book case.

Chris Turner: Pretty Fly. Chris Turner

#5. Chris Turner:
I'm good friends with 25 letters of the alphabet... I don't know why.

The Tim Vine Chat Show. Tim Vine. Copyright: Thames Television

#6. Tim Vine:
I took part in the sun tanning Olympics - I just got Bronze.

George Ryegold's God-In-A-Bag. Copyright: BBC

#7. George Ryegold:
Pornography is often frowned upon, but that's only because I'm concentrating.

Return of the Lumberjacks (Back by Poplar Demand). Image shows from L to R: Glenn Wool, Stewart Francis, Craig Campbell

#8. Stewart Francis:
I saw a documentary on how ships are kept together. Riveting!

How to be Awesome: An Introduction. Lou Sanders. Copyright: Avalon Television

#9. Lou Sanders:
I waited an hour for my starter so I complained: 'It's not rocket salad'.

Nish Kumar - Nish Kumar is a Comedian. Nish Kumar

#10. Nish Kumar:
My mum's so pessimistic, that if there was an Olympics for pessimism... she wouldn't fancy her chances.

Dave Channel boss Steve North says: "As Dave's Funniest Joke of the Fringe celebrates its fifth anniversary it's great to see how the top ten get wittier and sharper every year. Stewart Francis is a very worthy winner and with his droll quip has proved himself to be King of the one-liners."

More Top 10s

To enjoy more jokes, check out the top 10 from other years:

2016 jokes (Masai Graham won)

2015 jokes (Darren Walsh won)

2014 jokes (Tim Vine won)

2013 jokes (Rob Auton won)

2011 jokes (Nick Helm won)

2010 jokes (Tim Vine won)

Published: Monday 20th August 2012

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