Foster's Edinburgh Comedy awards shortlist announced

Alex Horne is performing his show, Monsieur Butterfly, at the Pleasance Courtyard

The nominees for this year's Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Awards have been unveiled.

The shortlisted acts include James Acaster, Alex Horne and Sara Pascoe for the award, now in its 34th year.

The other nominees for best comedy show are John Kearns, Liam Williams, Romesh Ranganathan and Sam Simmons.

The winners will be announced in a ceremony on Saturday at Dovecote Studios in Edinburgh.

The awards celebrate the best comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe.

The awards' producer, Nica Burns, said: "For the second year running, reflecting the huge amount of diverse comedy talent at the fringe, the shortlist for the Foster's Best Comedy Show is seven strong.

"Between them, these outstanding performers reach every funny bone."

Sara Pascoe has been playing at Assembly George Square

Also announced are the nominations for the best newcomer category, which include Alex Edelman, Dane Baptiste, Gein's Family Giftshop, Lazy Susan, Lucy Beaumont and Steen Raskopoulos.

The awards and prizes are: Best comedy show with a cash prize of £10,000, best newcomer with a cash prize of £5,000 and panel prize with a cash prize of £5,000.

Acaster and Simmons have both been nominated in previous years, Acaster in 2013 and 2012 and Simmons in 2011.

James Acaster has a show called Recognise, which is about identity.

Alex Horne is performing his show, Monsieur Butterfly, at the Pleasance Courtyard. His talks about about parenthood, golf and squirrels.

Sara Pascoe has been playing at Assembly George Square with her stand-up show Sara Pascoe vs History.

John Kearns has his show Shtick at the Voodoo Rooms and Liam Williams: Capitalism is on at the Laughing Horse.

Romesh Ranganathan: Rom Wasn't Built in a Day is on at the Pleasance Courtyard.

The shortlisted acts include James Acaster