Murray returns to the Fringe

Al Murray is returning to the Edinburgh festival – to host a lunchtime pub quiz.

The Pub Landlord, who first performed at the Fringe in 1993 as part of Harry Hill’s Pub Internationale show, will be hosting Compete For The Meat in the Pleasance Dome for the second two weeks of the festival.

Murray returns following his appearances last year, when he performed his four Perrier-nominated shows from the Nineties over consecutive night.

He heads the line-up of acts from the powerful Avalon stable heading up to this year’s festival.

Others include The Thick Of It’s Chris Addison, We Are Klang’s Greg Davies performing his first solo stand-up show and Simon Brodkin, on the back of his forthcoming BBC Three show.

Richard Herring is revamping his ‘first and favourite’ solo show, Christ On A Bike, which he first performed in 2001, while Perrier winner Laura Solon returns with a new show called The Owl Of Steven.

Other confirmed acts are Dan Antopolski, Roisin Conaty, Rob Deering, Sadie Hasler, Alex Horne, Russell Kane, Nat Luurtsema, Jimmy McGhie, Chris Ramsey, Gareth Richards and Domestic Goddi, While the long-established late-night Comedy Zone will showcase Ivo Graham, Naz Osmanoglu, Davey See and Josh Widdecombe.

Meanwhile, Al Murray will also play the Download heavy metal festival this summer – as a drummer.

His rock covers band, T-34, named after the Soviet tank that was the most successful in its class in the Second World War, will be playing the festival's Red Bull Stage on June 13.

He said: 'I’ve played theatres and arenas all over the world, but I can’t quite believe I’m going to be able to say I’ve played Download.’

Published: 13 May 2010