Dr Death's new career - as a comedian

Controversial euthanasia advocate to perform at Edinburgh Fringe.

Comedians 'infest' the Edinburgh Fringe

The Edinburgh Fringe suffers from an 'infestation' of stand-ups who 'degrade' the festival's founding principles. That's the opinion of leading arts impresario Richard Demarco, co-founder of the Traverse Theatre and one of the forces behind the former Rocket Venues at the festival.

Stand bosses' new deal on Assembly Rooms

The owner of The Stand comedy clubs has signed a deal to operate The Assembly Rooms again at next year's Edinburgh Fringe.

Surviving the only 'No' show at the Edinburgh Fringe

Throughout the month I sensed voter fatigue after the nearly two year campaign.

Comic gets sacked after his Fringe show

London-based Italian comedian Giacinto Palmieri used to work in IT for a well-known property company. Then he went to this year's Edinburgh Fringe with his show about Wagner.

"The big boss of my company," he told me in Soho Theatre at the weekend, "came to see my show at the Edinburgh Fringe and, the first day after I came back, I was sacked."

Museum of Comedy To stage post-Edinburgh Festival

The Museum of Comedy is to stage its own pick of the Edinburgh Fringe mini-festival from Sept 13 - 28. The Bloomsbury museum, which opened earlier this year will be putting on gigs in its Cooper Room. Tickets for the shows will also include a ticket for free entry to the museum on the same night.

Everyone likes seeing stars, especially when there's 1

If you want your review to be read by everybody then there's only one rating that will do. EVERYONE reads a one-star review.

Richard Herring: A bigger issue at the Pleasance

I have bid adieu to the Edinburgh Fringe, battered and broken and very much looking forward to a few weeks of well-earned holiday.

Frank Skinner almost held "Free Fringe" show

One of Britain's biggest comedians has revealed he almost staged a free show at this year's festival - but was over-ruled by his manager.

Future's bright, the future's free (but never easy)

A generation ago you could mark the passing of the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe by the annual barrage of complaints. Moralists would rail against nudity and immorality; the city fathers would carp about unnecessary investment in the arts. Those days, thankfully, are gone, but they have been replaced by the annual pat-our-own-backs statistics, issued by each of the festivals in turn, and the self-justifying hyperbole of officials and politicians who love to claim success and then bask in its warmth.

Davidson, Godley & Canadian cottage misunderstanding

The final show I saw at the Edinburgh Fringe last night was Jim Davidson's No Further Action which I really do have to say was an utterly brilliant, flawless hour of comedy. Genuinely, utterly brilliant. It knocked most other Fringe comedy shows into the amateur starters section.

Lost in translation: International comics in Edinburgh

International artists have the additional hurdle to clear - the language barrier. BBC World visited the fringe and spoke to comics from across the globe to see if comedy is lingua franca.

John Kearns: loser takes all at Edinburgh

John Kearns has turned failure into silly, soul-searching comedy. Will scooping Edinburgh's top comedy award spoil the punchline? Brian Logan meets the man hailed as the new Hancock.

Fringe claims record box office

The Edinburgh Fringe has recorded another box office record this year - with 2.18 million tickets sold across almost 50,000 performances.

News: All the Edinburgh Fringe awards

There are now so many awards handed out at the Festival it sometimes feels that every show has picked up some kind of a gong. Here is a list of award winners from all artistic disciplines.

Chocolate genitalia and odd sex tips

This is the final day of the Edinburgh Fringe and, as is traditional, it is a Bank Holiday in England, but not in Scotland. This means that, in Scotland, all the shops are open and it is a normal working day... except that the banks are closed. You may want to read that paragraph again.

Patrick Monahan does private gig in living room

Thousands of people have flocked to the Capital this month to see world-class comedy but one pair of best friends had tickets for their own private set . . . in their living room.

Getting drunk at the Fringe & singing over a dead body

My left shoulder is in middling agony if I move it. It is comedian Arthur Smith's fault. More about that later.

John Kearns, the early years, by Harry Deansway

The first London is Funny got wind of John Kearns - the new Fosters Award winner - was back in 2010, following a tip-off by Harry Deansway, Kearns's then-manager and the comedy circuit's very own Delboy. Here, Deansway recalls [his version of] those hazy, crazy days when success was just a glint in the bespectacled eye.

Profile: John Kearns

'Being a comic? I didn't even know that was a job'

Ed Fringe: Six Days, 21 Shows

Continuing with the Free Fringe shows, Sarah Cassidy: An Introduction to Twerking is hilarious feminist comedy.

This week's new live comedy

Previews of Luisa Omielan, Nish Kumar and Tim Key.

Malcolm Hardee Comedy Award winner attacked after show

Christian Talbot's text to me at 3.01am this morning. One of the other nominees in the Malcolm Hardee Cunning Stunt Award category had been comedian Luke McQueen. Christian Talbot's text read: "Had Luke McQueen's girlfriend grab my trophy off me in Brooke's Bar (the Pleasance Dome venue's bar for performers) and try to smash it. It's not too damaged. What a lovely person she is."

Opinion: Brains beats banter again

So John Kearns won the Foster's Edinburgh Comedy Award today. The first ever Best Newcomer to win the main prize in the following year and, perhaps more significantly, the first Free Fringe performer to win the Edinburgh Comedy Award. The Free Fringe has been having more of an impact every year since Imran Yusuf first picked up a Best Newcomer nomination, but that's another story. I want to celebrate and discuss Kearns' victory here.

Rhys Mathewson: tips for getting through werewolf hour

We're nearly at the end of Fringe 2014. Have you had your 'werewolf hour' yet? If it's still to come, Rhys Mathewson has some tips for coping.

Lizzie Bates: Five acts of everyday rebellion

Lizzie Bates is no natural-born rebel, so she has been getting serious kicks out of performing a host of naughty female characters in her show Lizzie Bates: Reprobates.

Morgan & West: A subtle kind of magic

As we head into the final Fringe weekend, how about taking in a magic show? What do you mean you saw a magic show earlier this Festival and you're done now? You do know that's the same as saying "I saw Frank Skinner, so I've done stand-up". Morgan & West explain.

Tim Vine: the man behind the masterful one-liner

The comedian who won the prize for the funniest joke at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe offers a perfect antidote to the tyranny of alternative 'humour'.

Audio: How well does comedy travel?

Stand-up comedy has become a central part of British and American culture in recent years. But how is this culturally specific form of performance seen in other countries? Comedians Igor Meerson and Francesco de Carlo, who are performing at this year's Edinburgh Fringe, told Today presenter James Naughtie and the BBC's arts editor Will Gompertz about how their humour goes down with audiences in Scotland.

When Jim Davidson met Andrew Doyle

Suddenly, the prospect of Jim Davidson appearing in a play about coming out as gay has become a reality.

My 'mental' Fringe

I now realise I've struggled with my mental health pretty much all of my life but because it's all I can remember it became easy to not notice.

Preview: Danny Mcloughlin

It might be the fact he's more of a man, like a proper man. The fact that his hands, arms, legs and neck are bigger.

Explain yourself: Mark Watson

Born in Bristol to Welsh parents, Mark Watson has established himself as as one of the most talented and versatile comedians in the country.

Sara Pascoe: "I hated comedy."

Sara Pascoe believed comedy was a boy's club until she split up with a comedian partner and took it up in revenge. Now she's tipped to win a top award in Edinburgh.

Fringe Q&As: Hardeep Singh Kohli

Hardeep Singh Kohli discusses being middle aged, Scottish and being a nation of story tellers with HeraldScotland.

Fringe Q&As: Rachel Parris

Rachel Parris talks to HeraldScotland about singing, her encounter with Phill Jupitus and climbing in Scotland.

Fringe Q&As: Jonny Lennard

Jonny Lennard speaks to HeraldScotland about a cappella pirates, chasing pheasants and gaining independence from his parents.

Fringe Q&As: David Kaufman of The Cleek

David Kaufman of The Cleek chats to HeraldScotland about being a Harvard student, drinking Irn Bru and a funny taxi driver called Iain.

Fringe Q&As: Henry Paker

Henry Paker speaks to HeraldScotland about playing volleyball with Lenny Henry, bees and running up Arthur's Seat.

Fringe Q&As: Lizzy Mace

Lizzy Mace discusses getting heckled by her Mum, refusing flyers and being able to laugh at yourself with HeraldScotland.

Zoe Lyons: how not to roast a chicken

The comedian explains why acting out a cold chicken in the oven is making the world a safer place.

Edinburgh's top comedy - and the ones that got away

Leaving the fringe is bittersweet: there's a treasure store of good memories, and regrets for what it wasn't possible to see.

Tom Neenan: The incident at the Half Moon Inn

As we head into this final weekend of Fringe madness, how about we sit back, relax for a few minutes, and share some ghost stories?

Nick Hall: An anti-literacy campaign

After three weeks performing in a former children's library, Nick Hall is launching an anti-literacy campaign.

Pomme Is French For Apple: The art of flirting

Thanks aplenty to Liza Paul and Bahia Watson from Pomme Is French For Apple who've stepped into the breach to offer some tips for the flirty men of the Fringe.

Fringe Q&As: Martin Mor

Martin Mor speaks to HeraldScotland about baked potatoes, juggling babies and having his accent understood by the Scottish.

Fringe Q&As: Rosie Wilby

Rosie Wilby speaks to HeraldScotland about synchronised swimming, leaping dogs and smoggy London.

Fringe Q&As: Red Bastard

Red Bastard speaks to HeraldScotland about an upside down purple cow, avoiding being peed on and not understanding the Scottish.

Fringe Q&As: This Is Your Trial

This Is Your Trial speaks to HeraldScotland about becoming a podium dancer by mistake, getting stuck in a lighting rig and finishing a show up Arthur's Seat.

Fringe Q&As: Andrew Doyle

Andrew Doyle talks to HeraldScotland about the lure of hedonism, recapturing lost youth and performing for Bobby Crush.

Photo gallery: Backstage and personal

From Adam Riches taking a stroll in full armour to Greg Proops drinking in the abattoir and Camilla Cleese doing her hair, Idil Sukan catches Edinburgh festival's top standups off-guard.

Audio: Is comedy a science or an art?

How do comedians come up with funny lines? Is it a science or an art?

Hennessy & Friends Win best new sketch act

The versatile three hander, composed of Miranda Hennessy, David Seymour and Steve Shapland beat off some stiff competition last night to win the final of Best New Sketch Act 2014 at the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh.

A female comedian must be resilient

'I've had bad gigs, awful things written about me. I've been bullied, taunted, and told I'm not funny.' Shazia Mirza and others tell us their stories of surviving the Fringe.

Audio: Is comedy a science or an art?

How do comedians come up with funny lines? Is it a science or an art? "Quite often I work backwards from the punch line", Tim Vine recently told the Today Programme. But other comedians work differently. Paul McCaffrey admitted he picks out what he thinks is funny and then works it into a point at which he thinks the audience will laugh. "The trick is to try and make it look as spontaneous as possible. You want the audience to believe that this is something that you're saying and thinking for the first time there and then," he added. Stand-up comedian, actor and writer Tiff Stevenson hones her act in a similar way, explaining that "I work at how I feel about something and then I find the funny within that."

Did you hear the one about the blind comedian?

Blind comedian Jamie MacDonald tells BBC Ouch how he makes jokes about losing his sight and the sticky situations he finds himself in.

Females of the Fringe

Photo gallery of women at the Fringe.

Racism, farting, McIntyre, the Daily Mail & the Fringe

Flyering is an overlooked vital art at the Fringe.

Never trust a comedian who says 'the other day ...'

The comedian and writer explains how a routine on carrots is meticulously premeditated by his comic assassin side.

Edinburgh shows to make a comical dash for

Edinburgh festival fringe ends on Sunday, so our comedy critic reveals where to go for last-minute fun, from debut comics to wacky standups.

The Foster's Awards - the ones that got away

You can't please everyone. That's the conclusion I come to almost every year when the Foster's Award nominations are announced. This year's shortlist is no exception. Despite choosing seven of the best acts in Edinburgh there are a number of unfortunate omissions. I should imagine that everybody who has taken the trouble to read this far has got one favourite that the panel missed. Just plucked at random from Facebook, here's someone's top ten that bears little relation to the Foster's choices.

Rayguns Look Real Enough: Heading for the Hall Of Fame?

Rayguns Look Real Enough are back in Edinburgh with their unique blend of mash-up rock and tiger suits (well, just the one tiger suit in fact). And this time they're heading to the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame. Maybe. Well, they've definitely named their show 'Hall Of Fame'. ThreeWeeks found the band's stars Ray Gun and Luke Reel at the bar and asked them some quick questions.

Alfie Moore: Scottish law

Former police sergeant and star of Radio 4's It's A Fair Cop, Alfie Moore, always likes to give some time, while at the Fringe, to explore the whims and ways of Scottish law and law enforcement. And after a few more weeks entertaining the local law enforcers (amongst others) he now shares some thoughts on how legal matters differ North and South of the border.

Jason Cook: Celebrating broken flyerers

Veteran Edinburgh type Jason Cook - Clatterschenkfieternmaus alumnus and creator of TV's Hebburn - back this year with his latest show Broken, surveys the desolate Fringe landscape for one particular type of downtrodden participant.

Fringe Q&As: Will Franken

Will Franken speaks to the HeraldScotland about a fried Mars bar, self-esteem issues and his love for Scotland.

Fringe Q&As: Pierre Novelle

Pierre Novellie discusses becoming British, bagpipes and the Scottish sense of humour with the HeraldScotland.

Fringe Q&As: John Hastings

John Hastings joins HeraldScotland to talk about soup, being heckled and David Cameron's Internal Policies.

Fringe Q&As: Four Screws Loose

Four Screws Loose speak to HeraldScotland about wigs, the weather and whiskey.

Fringe Q&As: Hennessy & Friends

Hennessy & Friends discuss Harry Enfield and haggis, neeps and tatties with HeraldScotland.

Fringe Q&As: Lloyd Langford

Lloyd Langford speaks to HeraldScotland about his frustrations with the modern world, the Edinburgh cobbles and having grapefuit thrown at him.

Fringe Q&As: Julian McCullough

HeraldScotland talks to Julian McCullough about fighting Londoners, Russian jokes and Billy Connolly.

Fringe Q&As: Stuart Black

HeraldScotland taks to Stuart Black about Tories, giant spiders, and lemsips.

Fringe Q&As: Wild Card Kitty

Wild Card Kitty talks to HeraldScotland about striptease, replying to heckles in character, and why she's happy for her mum and dad not to see her show.

Fringe Q&As: Ian Smith

Ian Smith talks to HeraldScotland about stage diving, cage fighting and peppermint squares.

Fringe Q&As: Shirley & Shirley

Shirley & Shirley discuss boozing, underwear and fake moustaches with HeraldScotland.

Fringe Q&As: Anna Morris

Anna Morris speaks to HeraldScotland about never trying Haggis, getting heckled by her own Dad and Putin.

Fringe Q&As: Short & Curly

Short & Curly talk to HeraldScotland about stag dos, Irn Bru for breakfast and filthy jokes.

Fringe Q&As: Paul F Taylor

Paul F Taylor speaks to HeraldScotland about cats, trashy TV and unhealthy eating.

The show must go on... and on

The insane roller coaster of laughter and disappointment that is the Edinburgh Fringe is drawing to a close.

Introducing the nominees

The results are announced on Saturday. Before that, I'm off to watch them all again. Even at three weeks and 89 shows in, I can't wait.