The wrestling show at the Pleasance has been described as “the most outrageous night the Pleasance has ever seen”.

On August 15, for one night only, 20 comedians were united with eight  world-class wrestlers in front of an audience of 770. This wrestling spectacular was the brainchild of Max Olesker (formerly the youngest pro wrestler in the UK) and Ivan Gonzalez of sketch duo Max and Ivan. 

Max explained to us about the event: “It was an event unlike any of us have ever experienced before. It was insane and electrifying.”

Ivan added: “The hour and a half were a blur. It was complete chaos backstage – it was pretty chaotic onstage as well, but everyone left feeling exhilarated.”

As for battle scars from the event, Max was at the awards show on crutches after “a little evulsion fracture of the metatarsal” of his left ankle.  He added: “There was a genuine chance that someone could have died, and it could have been anyone in the building.

“It was the moment when it went to the next level, whatever that level was. One level higher and there would have been a number of arrests, but we were just under. All I had to do was go to the hospital on the day of my girlfriend’s birthday. [Whispering direct to camera] Sorry!”

The winners of the 31st Foster’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards were announced yesterday at a ceremony at the Dovecot Studio, Edinburgh. Adam Riches won the main prize (interview here) while Humphrey Ker won Best Newcomer (interview here).

The Awards were presented by last year’s Best Comedy Show winner Russell Kane and West End musical star and 2002 nominee, Omid Djalili.

Omid said of presenting the award, "These awards for comedy at the Edinburgh festival are traditionally so prestigious most acts would be content with just a nomination. Everyone except me. I should have won in 2002.

“I lost out to a bloke who looked like a sexual deviant. Fortunately Daniel Kitson has long since proved he is not. Then again I haven't seen him in a while.”