Including TV broadcast of stand-up gala

The BBC has announced its 2013 programming from the Edinburgh Fringe.

Among the highlights are a broadcast of the annual Edinburgh Comedy Gala from the Edinburgh Playhouse, hosted by Kevin Bridges and Adam Hills.

The showcase, which will air on BBC Three, will feature Andrew Lawrence, Stephen K Amos, Jason Byrne, Hal Cruttenden, Phill Jupitus, Russell Kane, and Lee Nelson as well as some more up-and-coming acts.

Meanwhile, the BBC will again have its venue in Potterow hosting shows such as Simon Mayo Drivetime, 5 Live’s Richard Bacon and Shaun Keaveny of 6 Music.

Radio 4 comedies coming from the festival will include The News Quiz, Just A Minute, The Unbelievable Truth, Clare In The Community, Comic Fringes and It’s Not What You Know

And the first two heats of the BBC New Comedy Award – for which entries close on Friday – will also be held at the Potterow venue.

Radio Scotland’s MacAulay & Co is extending its coverage from two weeks to three for the first time.

Presenter Fred MacAulay said: ‘Over the years, tickets for our Edinburgh shows have gone within days of being made available and guests – from across the festivals – have been clamouring to come on.

‘So this year we're going to increase our Fringe presence from two weeks to three. That means, that with 15 shows, we'll be able to accommodate 50 per cent more guests.’

Covering all of Edinburgh’s festivals, there will also be three special Culture Shows on BBC Two - including a programme dedicated to the Traverse Theatre at 50 -– and two festival-focused Review Shows on BBC Four as well as Radio 3’s coverage of the International Festival and BBC One’s broadcast of the Tattoo.

Published: 22 Jun 2013