Edinburgh 10x10

Our annual lists of Fringe highlights – one each weekday for the next fortnight and  arbitrarily categorised and ordered – starts with the people who need the exposure least. Ten of the most famous people in the comedy section...

1. Paul Merton

With 23 years of Have I Got News For You behind him, not to mention Room 101 and Radio 4's Just a Minute, Paul Merton is clearly one of our-best known comics. But he still joins the Comedy Store Players most Sundays, and for around a decade has taken some of his fellow improvisers to Edinburgh, and on tour, under the Paul Merton’s Impro Chums Show banner. Expect a lot of familiar improv games. Pleasance Courtyard, 2.15pm (8th to 11th) and 6pm (12th to 17th)

2. Jason Manford

Famous largely thanks to The One Show – and the licence that gave the tabloids to write about his private life – Manford has just returned to the stage doing what he does best, Everyman observational stand-up. His First World Problems tour includes a stint at the EICC – also home of the TV festival – at the end of the Fringe. Venue150 @ EICC, 19:40, 20th to 25th only.

3. Sarah Millican

She’s had the bestselling DVD by any female stand-up, and has an appeal that stretches from Radio 4 listeners to on Loose Women viewers. She’s about to head off on another huge tour, which she previews in the intimate confines of The Stand during the festival. The Stand, 18:40

4. Gyles Brandreth

Probably the only Fringe performer with the middle name Daubeney, the former MP, Monopoly champion and teddy-bear-museum founder is a prolific writer and TV guest, and returns to the fringe with another instalment of his clubbable anecdotes, exploring the idea of how to be happy. Pleasance Courtyard, 16.20

5. David Baddiel

Famously the first UK act to play an arena, with former partner Rob Newman, Baddiel is presenting his first full Edinburgh show for 15 years. Fame: Not The Musical is about our obsession with celebrity, from someone who’s had his share of time in the spotlight, and has been garnering some positive buzz in previews in London. Assembly George Square, 19:30, July 31st to August 11th

6. Omid Djalili

Last seen in his Speedos (kinda) on prime-time ITV, occasional movie star, Fagin and price-comparison website advertiser Djalili is back on the Fringe. Partly to star in the Shawshank Redemption, and partly for 13-stand-up shows. Assembly Rooms, 20:40, 13th to 25th

7. Nicholas Parsons

Joining Just A Minute panelists Merton and Brandreth in the Fringe programme is its perennially debonaire chairman, Nicholas Parsons – who’s back for the 13th year of his Happy Hour chary show. Pleasance Courtyard, 17:10, 1st to 18th

8. Alistair McGowan

Big Impression star McGowan returns to the Fringe after three years away, with another batch of TV and sports stars impressions. And where else would you get to hear Sarah Millican, Kevin Bridges, Andy Parsons, John Bishop, Micky Flanagan and Jack Dee – or at least very close copies of them – on one show?Gilded Balloon Teviot, 19:30, 18th to 25th

9. Phill Jupitus

Jupitus is probably the biggest name on the Free Fringe, returning to his roots as Porky The Poet, the alter-ego he adopted when he first started performing on the circuit almost 30 years ago, and which he revived for the festival last year, too. The Jam House, 17:00. Plus he’s also starring in Deborah Frances-White’s improv show Voices In Your Head, where he must follow the commands of an unseen deity. Pleasance Dome, 20:30

10. Rory McGrath

Known as the bearded guy off They Think It’s All Over, the bearded guy off Three Men And.. or the bearded guy off Rory and Paddy's Great British Adventure, Rory McGrath reunites with veteran comedy songwriter Philip Pope . The pair appeared on the cult sketch show WHo Dares Wins in the early days of Channel 4, and released the ‘dad-rock’ album Dark Side of the Moob – upon which this year’s show Bridge Over Troubled Lager builds. Assembly George Square, 22:10

PS: Other big names appearing at the festival include: Al Murray, Jenny Eclair, Tim Vine, Stewart Lee, Sandi Toksvig, Caroline Rhea, Alexei Sayle, Ardal O’Hanlon and Arthur Smith

Published: 15 Jul 2013