Matt Forde is returning to the Edinburgh Fringe after recovering from cancer, performing three shows, British Comedy Guide can exclusively reveal.

The political comic, who had the base of his spine removed last year to remove a tumour, will be debuting his show The End Of An Era at the Pleasance Courtyard in the Scottish capital in August, following work-in-progress dates at the Soho Theatre in London at the end of May.

Currently learning to walk again, Forde will also be performing work-in-progress shows about his treatment at the Fringe and recording episodes of his Political Party podcast.

Having initially believed that he was suffering from sciatica at last year's festival, Forde said: "I cannot wait to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe again, despite returning to the place where my life turned upside down.
 
"After my final show there, I was told I had cancer. Instead of going on tour, I was being carved open to have the base of my spine removed. Now I know how turkeys feel. And it was in the run-up to Christmas. I'm learning to walk again and with the help of two fantastic helpers (sticks), I will be back at on stage.

"When I was laid in that hospital bed in excruciating pain, the only thought on my mind was 'at least I'll get a show out of this'. Then I'd remember that I'm a political comedian and I'd think 'oh well, at least people don't have to hear me do a show about this.'"

He recently returned to work on Absolute Radio's Rock 'n' Roll Football show, which he co-hosts with Matt Dyson, as well as Political Party and his British Scandal podcast.

The End Of An Era runs from 28th May at the Soho Theatre and from 1st to 25th August in Edinburgh.