The ten best Fringe shows I've ever seen

Charlie Baker reminisces

I like a bit of everything. This is in no order and in no way definitive. It would be different if I wrote it tomorrow.

10. Catherine Tate: Pleasance Cellar (2001)

This was her first solo character show. She'd been in Lee Mack's nominated sketch show the year before. It was in the 50-seat Pleasance Cellar which, due to massive Edinburgh momentum, was standing room only. It was a riot. All the characters that became public property: 'Me dear? Gay dear? No dear', the randy nurse, the Nan. All beautifully drawn,scripted and performed. A star was born. Despite being near perfect and having all the buzz, it wasn't nominated for the big award.

9. The Horne Section: Spiegeltent (Unsure of year)

This excellent show appeared to have been created for my own particular interests which are in reverse order: jazz, comedy and Alex Horne. Warmth, brilliant jokes, funny funny funny comedy songs (What's your favourite season? Perfect) Joyous.

8. Celia Pacquola: Let me Know How It All Works Out: Gilded Balloon (2014)

This was just great. Expertly structured, ace jokes, silliness, charm. I'm Coming Out by Diana Ross! Everything I look for.

7. The Tiger Lillies Live In Concert: Pleasance Grand (2010)

All the hits, all night long. Oh, that was Lionel Richie at the O2 but this Tiger Lillies show was also immaculate. Their lyrics, music and showmanship create a unique atmosphere. I love them. I'd kill to be a Tiger Lily. Which luckily is part of the audition process so, fingers crossed.

6. Emily Brown and The Thing: Pleasance Courtyard (2014)

A kids' show. I've got a kid. I go to kids' shows. You should too, a lot of them are full of imagination and brilliant clear storytelling techniques. Emily Brown and the Thing was the best I've ever seen. No YOU cried at its beauty and life-affirming message.

5. Wanted Man, The Table Show: Assembly (2001)

This was the best play I've ever seen on the Fringe. All the action took place in a small shed. Toby Jones and Edward Woodall were the writer-performers. It was a mind- and soul-changing hour of comedy and theatrical genius. In a shed.

4.Simon Munnery doing a set as Alan Parker Urban Warrior at about midnight at the Stand. (2012)
I was not having a great Edinburgh to be honest, and I was trudging home and thought I'd pop into the Stand for one. It felt like a regular club night which was comforting. Simon Munnery went on and destroyed the room. It was a big big lesson from an expert. Which I probably didn't learn that year and carried on making the same stupid choices the very next day.

3. Count Arthur Strong: The Musical Assembly Rooms (2006)

Tears of laughter. Couldn't breathe for laughing,like at school when you laugh until you get sent out. Funniest most immersive character performance I've ever seen within a brilliant, brilliant show.

2. Bridget Christie The Court of King Charles The Second: The Caves (2008)

Funniest first 10 minutes of audience work I've ever seen. Funniest bones. Full of creative big ideas. In one ridiculous hour. And you know … I liked her before it was cool

1.The 2005 So You Think You're Funny Final, won by Tom Allen

Finalists: Sarah Millican (2nd), Joe Wilkinson (3rd), Charlie Baker, Kevin Bridges, Robert Broderick, Emma Fryer, Stuart Goldsmith, Josh Thomas. MC Bill Bailey

The most out of my depth I have ever been. (Other than when we played a team of Hearts legends at Tynecastle). It was my fifth gig. The list above, from Chortle, says 2nd and 3rd after Sarah and Joe and after that kindly alphabetical, but I was definitely last. I still know the majority of these acts and they are still absolute dynamite and good good people.