On-stage at Edinburgh this year, I was happy to see an old mate in the audience called Joel Sanders. He used to run a comedy club in Ruislip and is responsible for one of the hardest gigs that I have ever done.

Post Edinburgh, Nikki announces that she is now tee-total.

Big thanks and a special mention to Sam who sat through all 22 shows, albeit with his ear-phones in and on-line I don’t doubt and who can blame him?

A special day in Edinburgh yesterday with the arrival of Tom and Harry – up for just one day to catch the only show on the fringe…

It feels odd being in Edinburgh as a veteran. Where does the time go and all that? But being ‘old’ only increases my sense of belonging to the comedy world and particularly to the people who I cut my comedy teeth with and sometimes on.

Waiting to go on Sky Sunrise this morning, on headphones, I listened to a firey debate between two women about the use of the word ‘housewife’. It began cordially but soon enough, they were like alley cats, claws bared, going at each other – and were eventually pulled apart. A quick briefing on the weather (hot in the south, less hot in the north!), and it was over to me…

We have lift off – the first show of The Glory year is down.

When a year’s worth of prep, gigging and writing comes down to one day – and the start of the world’s biggest and greatest arts festival!