If.comedy award

A number of Britain’s brightest acts will battle it out for Edinburgh Festival’s top comedy accolade, the if.comedy award, it was announced today.

David O'Doherty, Rhod Gilbert, Russell Kane are on the shortlist for the £8000 top prize, formerly known as the Perrier Award.

Over 350 acts were considered for the award, given to “the most outstanding up-and-coming, funny, original comedy show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe”.

Brits on the shortlist are David O'Doherty's effortless charm with song, Welshman Rhod Gilbert, whose perfectly structured, gag-packed show has moved him into a new league and livewire stand-up and Russell Kane's brilliantly energetic celebration of family, relationships and life's imperfections.

The final winner will be named at midnight on Saturday at Edinburgh’s Jam House. In addition to the cash prize, the winner will also headline next month's if.comedy show in London's West End.

This is the 28th year of the awards, which were renamed The Intelligent Finance Comedy Awards in 2006 (previously The Perrier Award).