Stand up comedian Hal Cruttenden has hotly denied the rumours of plagiarism over his poster design for his show "To Hal and Back" at Pleasance Dome for the duration of the Edinburgh Festival. The remarkable similarity between his poster and that of Eddie Izzard's tour "Sexie" are "pure coincidence" according to Cruttenden.

  
Eddie Izzard                               Hal Cruttenden

However, insiders are not so sure.  One source commented: "There is a remarkable likeness between the two comedians.  Lets look at the facts. On the one hand you have a middle class, Perrier nominated stand-up - who didn't win mind you - who also has a reputation for being slightly girlie - though in a positive heterosexual way, and on the other hand you have Hal Cruttenden.  The similarities are remarkable. And you never see them on the same billing. It's uncanny."

Hal Cruttenden denies any such similarities.  " I haven't worn women's clothes for ages, for God's sake." he says.  "And my poster is nothing like Eddie Izzard's - I'm on a bloody moped!  This is pure speculative rubbish!"

He continues: "As for never seeing us on the same billing, that's our choice where we perform.  After all, too much great comedy in one sitting is just too dangerous. The crowd would spontaneously combust.  Anyway stadiums and arenas aren't all they are cracked up to be.  I would much prefer the Pleasance Dome any day."

With the panel still debating their decision we leave it up to the readers to decide.