‘Stormzy inspired me’: Mo Gilligan, the selfie comic turned chatshow star

His viral videos earned him a sell-out tour and a new late night TV show – can the character comedian become the Instagram era’s Chris Evans?Two years ago, Mo Gilligan was selling jeans in the Levi’s store in Covent Garden. This month, he’s fronting – …

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TV channel Dave is new Edinburgh comedy awards sponsor

Awards, with three categories including £10,000 prize for best comedy show, will be known as DavesThe television channel Dave is to follow fizzy water, finance, lager and online travel as the sponsor of the Edinburgh comedy awards.The announcement was …

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The sardonic joy of the Black Country, where no one is spared a ribbing

The region has long been a national punchline. Funny, then, that it’s where you’ll find some of the country’s sharpest witsIf ever, on a weekend, I get the train out of London and up through the countryside, I watch the buildings turn from stained crea…

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‘Frankly, it’s ridiculous!’ Fleabag super-producer Francesca Moody

She unleashed Phoebe Waller-Bridge on the Edinburgh fringe. The former actor with the Midas touch tells us her recipe for a hit show‘We had wine. It was late.” Producer Francesca Moody shrugs as if that combination is where all genius lies. Six years a…

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Sophie Duker: ‘The funniest thing that shouldn’t be funny? Dogs licking lemons’

The actor, writer and standup on the things that make her laugh the mostIt changes constantly, but she’s always a she. Josie Long singing baby songs. Suzi Ruffell doing a bit on doctors. Desiree Burch on dating dicks. Continue reading…

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Katherine Ryan: ‘Men are like dolphins – best enjoyed on holiday!’

The queen of the caustic punchline talks about plastic surgery, embarrassing her daughter – and turning her life as a single mum into a sitcomKatherine Ryan is busily scrolling through a neighbourhood Facebook group when we meet. “Someone’s dog attacke…

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Xanadu review – psychedelic circus evokes summer of love

Chiswick House, LondonCal McCrystal brings a woozy vibe to Giffords Circus, though these hippies are versatile performers and formidable athletesWe expect a display of random skills. But this remarkable travelling show from Giffords Circus takes its ti…

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Lucy Porter: If only there were Brownie badges for grownups

The standup’s dedication to the scout movement waned because computer games were cooler than camping. Now, she’s saluting her Brown Owl at the Edinburgh fringeWhy did the sand blush? Because the sea weed! That’s the joke that earned me my jester badge …

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Jessica Fostekew: ‘What do Germans think comes between fear and sex? Funf’

The actor, writer and standup on the things that make her laugh the mostI went to see Daniel Kitson in Edinburgh and that left me feeling like I’d had a spiritual experience. But in terms of a comedian who makes me scream with belly-muscle-pulling, roa…

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‘I searched for a stepdad – someone like Ground Force’s Tommy would do’

Aged seven, comic Steve Bugeja helped his mum find a new partner. They had to watch his magic tricks – and know how to handle a trellisWhen I told my mum that my fringe comedy show was going to be all about her being single when I was growing up, she s…

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