Maguire's heading to Edinburgh... but don't tell her mum

But one young stand-up is hoping that any publicity doesn’t get back to her parents – as she still hasn’t told them she’s a comic.

Grainne Maguire moved from rural Ireland to London two years ago to become a stand-up but told her parents she was training to be a primary school teacher. ‘I’ve never found the right moment to tell them and they’d be pretty angry if they found out’ she said.

‘I come from a tiny town in Ireland. The nearest thing we have to a comedy club is the town drunk, though he is quite funny.’

She says she has learned to keep the lie as close to the truth as possible, as she worked as a receptionist at a primary school by day, before performing on the circuit at night.

‘They did wonder why it was always me that picked up the phone. I told them in Britain you have to work your way up.

‘I’m hoping the only way they’ll find out is if I make it big, and then maybe they won’t mind so much. But even then my parents’ favourite comedian is Freddie Starr so, I’ll be honest, it might be a slog to win them round.’

Maguire will be performing in the Cheese and Pineapple Club at the Smirnoff Underbelly during the Fringe.

Published: 14 Jul 2008