The biggest prize in UK comedy was won last night (Sunday 22nd August 2010) by John Scott from Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, Scotland after a week-long grand final at the Edinburgh Fringe. The final saw six comedians from across Scotland battle it out for glory on stage at Edinburgh's famous Caledonian Brewery. More than 200 auditions, five regional sell-out shows and an online final whittled the contenders down to the six finalists.

John Scott, who has been performing stand-up for the past five years, took the £12,000 cash prize thanks to his "unique form of observational and anecdotal comedy." Accepting the award, John said: "Take the Mic is a fantastic platform for aspiring Scottish comedians and it's been an amazing week performing at the Caledonian Brewery during the Fringe. My fellow finalists have all been exceptional and it's even more incredible to win when competing against such strong competition."

John beat off stiff competition from Scott Agnew, Gus Tawse, Mikey Adams, Pearse O'Halloran and comedy sketch group How Do I Get Up There? to claim the title and big cash prize.

A spokesperson for the competition said: "Discovering new talent is what the Edinburgh Fringe is all about. Some of the biggest names in comedy have started the Fringe as unknown faces and ended up as household names and competitions like Take the Mic facilitate and support that transition. John Scott is a hugely worthy winner and this is without doubt the first step on the road to a long and successful career in comedy."

Cameron Mather, Marketing Manager for Take the Mic sponsor The Caledonian Brewery said: "This has been an amazing journey for us all and to have unearthed not one but six comedians all capable of making a career out of stand-up has made this a more than worthwhile experience. And to finish it all during the biggest arts festival in the world is truly a fitting way for a class performer like John Scott to win the showpiece final."