Richard Pryor quit stand-up after his MS diagnosis

The legendary comedian, who has multiple sclerosis, will judge the winner from recordings of the live show on Wednesday night.

The winner of the Richard Pryor Award 2004 will be announced at a ceremony on 25 August.

Only 4% of acts at the Fringe festival are from ethnic minority backgrounds.

'High standard'

The star of over 40 films including Stir Crazy and Brewster's Millions, Pryor is widely credited with pioneering the comedy concert tour.

The 63-year-old was forced to give up performing soon after going public with his MS in 1986.

Pryor said he intended to give the award to the comedian who demonstrates the funniest, most original routine based on their personal experiences.

He said: "Jenny [Pryor's wife] and I are really excited about this - cause they [the Fringe] got to mix it up a bit - I mean, you are all too white over there! I like that this is opening things up a bit."

The comedians shortlisted for the award are Ahmed Ahmed, Stephen K Amos, Danny Bhoy and Matt Blaize.

Organisers of the inaugral award said the standard of entries had been "very high".

The judges on the panel were comedy critic Stephen Armstrong, BBC executive Lucy Lumsden and comedy actress Mina Anwar.