Bilal Zafar is back at the Edinburgh Fringe with his stand-up show Imposter on at Underbelly Bristo Square at 3.50pm. Here he shares what he can't get enough of at the festival, his most embarrassing Edinburgh experience and the worst thing about the Fringe. Apart from the cost of accommodation, obviously…

Edinburgh binge 

I enjoy seeing things that I wouldn’t usually see (I usually only see stand-up comedy). So theatre, magic, maybe even circus. I’ll have an Underbelly pass and need to make sure I make the most of it. 

Also taking a chance on random free shows is something we should all be doing. I also really like the idea of having a very healthy month of good food, plenty of sleep, going to the gym, skin care and taking vitamins but that’s very unlikely to actually happen. 

I’ve made a decision to not do many gigs (apart from my show) at this year’s festival. I always surprise myself with how exhausting it all is and I need to take it easy. I am looking forward to having naps.

I feel like I should reiterate the importance of rest for any newer performers reading this by telling them that in 2017 I got a cold at the Fringe, didn’t rest properly and ended up with severe pneumonia!  

Edinburgh cringe 

When I got nominated for best newcomer back in 2016, I think I let it get to my head and believed all the hype around me. I must have been terrible to hang out with and it makes me cringe to think about it. Thank God I had a big dip in success immediately after. (Or it felt like I did).

I also didn’t know myself very well when I first started performing at the Fringe, so I thought the cool thing to do was to hang out very, very late in industry bars with male comedians that do a lot of bantering. That was an exhausting time. I know now that I’m much more comfortable going back to my flat and watching a movie.   

Edinburgh whinge

One of the worst things about the Fringe is the way that so many comedians get obsessed with reviews and awards rather than enjoying doing their show and having fun at the festival (I am also guilty of this).

It’s hard because the festival is incredibly competitive but when I started my first Fringe in 2016, I wasn’t really aware of most of this stuff and it was a huge blessing. I was so happy the first time I was able to fill my 50 seater room! 

But now that isn’t enough for me, I also need good reviews to be happy. I need to find a way to lower my expectations again.  

And if I’m allowed to mention the cost of accommodation, it’s so expensive now that I think this will be my last Fringe for a long time.