He has recently won the Channel 4 reality show 'Kings of Comedy' – the prize being a pilot show with Endemol/ Channel 4 which is currently in production. Maxwell is the hottest comedian on the live circuit at the moment and ‘one to watch out for in 2005’ according to The Independent newspaper. Andrew Maxwell returns to the Edinburgh festival in 2005 with his new show 'Grand Royale'.

Renowned for his sharp, fast paced streams of consciousness and well observed retort, Maxwell builds the crowd by challenging the controversial or taboo. He engages any audience he faces with a myriad of subjects and lures them into his riotous world.

Maxwell was raised in Kilbarrack in the Northside of Dublin, where The Commitments film was set and Bono went to school. As one of the few Protestant families in the area, and the only ones who housed African students on a regular basis, the Maxwells were well versed in religion and international politics and this influence is apparent in Andy's comic conjecture.

Andrew's natural flair for commentary and the urge to challenge folk and change perspectives led him to the world of stand up comedy and its open mic forum. It was in 1992, aged 18, that he took the stage for the first time at a local club run by Ardal O'Hanlon.

Two years later he went on a mission to crack the rest of the world and has been prolific on the international stand up circuit ever since. Warm up slots on the hottest TV shows Jonathan Ross, Johnny Vaughan and 'They Think Its all Over' soon followed - in fact Jonathan Ross still delights in telling his audiences that Andy once made one particular heckler cry. Aside from that Andrew is renowned as an all round nice guy and now you're more likely to catch him in front of the camera as his own TV career takes off. Recent credits include RISE, Ch4 as the USA correspondent interviewing the likes of Sandra Bullock, Val Kilmer and Jodie Foster and a regular guest slot on Dara O'Briain's popular current affairs show The Panel recently seen on Ireland's flagship channel Network 2.

Quotes from the Edinburgh Festival 2004 reviews

'A life affirming melange of observation and confession that could earn the Irishman a Perrier' - The Telegraph, August 04

'If Andrew Maxwell's excellent show This Is My Hour makes the Perrier short list it will be well deserved. 4/5' - The Independent, August 04

'Andrew's on particularly fantastic form. He's without doubt the strongest comedian on the circuit right now' - Brendon Burns's Celebrity Choice, The Telegraph, August 04

'He's the sort of comic whose thoughtful anecdotes interspersed with often incredulous explosions provokes wide smiles in between belly laughs - his easygoing blarney is incredibly infectious and it won't be long before you smiling and guffawing in agreement' 4/5 - The List, August 04

'Andrew Maxwell is a Dunbliner who has made a fine early impression this year at the Pod Deco. This is My Hour is a show many are already saying will be in the running for this year's Perrier Award and Maxwell now has a Bank of Scotland Herald Angel Award to show for his return to the Fridge.' - The Herald, August 04