IT was the day Dylan Moran lost, won, then re lost the Perrier Award. As the Edinburgh rumour mill swung into operation, Moran and the other five nominees (four British, one from the US) had all either "won or lost" according to whom you were speaking to and what time of day it was.
By early evening on Saturday, though, it was clear the award was going to be between Dylan and the superb British act, Bill Bailey. Moran's manager, Vivienne, was beside herself with worry and feared that, if there was a split vote, this would let in the Emmy winning US comic, Rich Hall.
By the time Moran had finished his show at the Pleasance Theatre, the Irish team had conceded defeat for the simple reason that in years past the tradition was for the Perrier people to turn up at the winner's show and present him or her with the award as the curtain came down.
There was no sign of champagne and flowers at the end of Moran's show so it was a disconsolate bunch who trudged up in the rain to the oddly named famous Spiegel Tent, in the centre of town, for the award ceremony.
Suspicious looks at Bill Bailey's table (and equally suspicious looks back) revealed that he wasn't clutching the award, so maybe the Perrier people had broken with tradition and chosen to announce the award live in front of the television cameras.
Shortly after midnight, last year's winner, Jenny Eclair, got up on stage to announce the result and Moran turned a very funny colour of white when his name was read out.
Gracious young man that he is, Moran said in his acceptance speech that the award should have gone to Bill Bailey. Somebody placed the largest bottle of champagne ever seen on the Irish table and Moran, went off to do a television interview, talk to the press, and be congratulated by what seemed like half of Edinburgh.
Amid the excitement, the award itself was lost and as night wore on a decision was nade to resume the search ntfirst light yesterday.
A previous Perrier winner, Sean Hughes, said Moran's win was "just brilliant" while Father Ted scriptwriter, Graham Linehan, was equally effusive. Ardal O'HanIon - ruled ineligible for the award last week due, in part, to his huge success in the Channel 4 series Father Teed - wnsjumping iiy and down with the excitement of it all.
"It's great for Dylan, it's great for Irish comedy," he said. "I'm very, very relieved that I didn't have to compete against him for the Perrier. He's a remarkable talent."
