Will Adamsdale's reputation spread by word of mouth

The surprising thing about Adamsdale's win is the speed of his rise to stardom.

At the start of this year's festival just three weeks ago, he was just another struggling actor with no comedy track record and a work in progress to test out.

Now, after going from tiny audiences to rave reviews and a sell-out extended run, he is the hottest property on the UK comedy scene.

"It's one of those Edinburgh success stories," was the verdict of Stewart Lee, co-writer of Jerry Springer: The Opera.

"I saw it in the first week with about six people, and both times half of them left, irritated."

Adamsdale's show and character have been hailed as something above the cliched imitation and satire of cheesy life coaches.

Will Adamsdale's reputation spread by word of mouth

The comic has created a bizarre but convincing motivational speaker, Chris John Jackson.

His philosophy revolves around the concept that there might actually be a point to the things we think of as pointless.

"This show is more than comedy," wrote The Scotsman's Kate Copstick. "It plays with your intellect as well as your sense of humour.

"And, should you find yourself able to take time to appreciate it, Jackson himself, who on this planet goes by the name of Will Adamsdale, is a dangerously persuasive dramatic creation."

The Guardian's Brian Logan said the show was "quite sublime" in parts.

"Like when he's trying to put his hand in two places, at the same time. Or when he tries to rhyme two words that don't sound alike. Pointless? Yes. But also, almost, profound."

'Bellylaugh'

And in the Evening Standard, Bruce Dessau wrote: "Jackson's Way is a bellylaugh of a gig despite a lack of conventional punchlines."

Adamsdale only took his show to Edinburgh, it has been reported, because a friend ran the Underbelly venue and had a spare slot.

The actor spent the past few months preparing it at the Battersea Arts Centre (BAC), the groundbreaking innovative London venue that also spawned Jerry Springer: The Opera.

"They really encourage performers to experiment and take things to extremes," Adamsdale has said.

Acclaim

But he seems to have made the transition from straight drama - or comedy drama at a push - to surreal and sensational stand-up almost overnight.

Now aged 30, he trained at the Oxford School of Drama and started gaining acclaim on stage in 1999. He then alternated between small TV roles and theatre - either at the BAC or regional theatres.

If anyone recognises him at all, it will be for his part as Nigel Havers' wayward son Justin in BBC series Manchild, and he has also recently appeared in ITV's Rosemary and Thyme.