Irish comic Tommy Tiernan has won the Perrier Prize at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. In a champagne-drenched awards ceremony in the city on Saturday night, Tiernan carried off the comedy trophy as well as a cheque for £5,000.
Tommy Tiernan's show Undivine Comedy, which has been receiving massive critical acclaim for the last three weeks of the festival, is centred on his "controversial" appearance on The Late Late Show last year where his routine was described by some as "blasphemous".
Tiernan (29), from Navan, Co Meath, was the unanimous choice of the 10-strong judging panel and beat off four other nominees including fellow Irish comic Ed Byrne for the prize.
It is the second time the Perrier has gone to someone from Navan - Dylan Moran having won the award in 1996 - and the fourth time the prize has been won by an Irish act.
During the show Tiernan re-enacts word for word his Late Late Show routine and describes the furore that followed. The show also includes a sharp attack on Gay Byrne's handling of the affair.
Commentators in Edinburgh see Tiernan's success as a victory for freedom of expression. Tiernan has enjoyed previous success at the Fringe Festival. Two years ago he won the talent-spotting competition called So You Think You're Funny?
Previously an actor, Tiernan has been performing as a stand-up for only three years. Now living in Galway, he divides his time between touring the London comedy circuit and some roles.
His Perrier success, which delighted the large Irish contingent on the fringe, looks set to catapult the personable and modest Tiernan into the major league of comedy.
Previous nominees and winners of the prestigious award include Eddie Izzard, Jack Dee, Jo Brand, Steve Coogan, Sean Hughes and Bill Bailey, all of whom used their Perrier success to launch television careers.
Speaking to The Irish Times just after winning the award a bewildered Tiernan said his short-term plan was to "get well and truly off my face" and he had "absolutely no idea and couldn't care less" about long-term plans.
The Fringe Festival ends today, but Tiernan is expected to bring his award-winning show to Ireland in the near future.
