Fringe: The best comedy shows to see

If the London previews have tickled your fancy and you've made the decision to go up to Edinburgh, you're bound to be looking for some lols.

Suzi Ruffell: Edinburgh Fringe 2018 interview

Suzi Ruffell looks at anxiety in this year's Edinburgh show, from global human rights to her cat's quality of life.

Interview: Suzi Ruffell

Suzi Ruffell on what keeps her awake at night in Edinburgh 2018 show Nocturnal.

Preview: Suzi Ruffell

Suzi Ruffell is worried about everything - from someone breaking into her flat, to human rights across the globe, to her cat's quality of life - and it's stopping her from sleeping.

Ultimate Worrier (Dave channel) is stand-up comedian Jon Richardson's attempt to spin a panel game out of life's little niggles.

Guests Suzi Ruffell and Josh Widdicombe joined him to fuss over trivial anxieties: how do cats cope with being bullied by bigger pets, is it possible to own too many underpants, and can creepy toys bought on holiday really be possessed by evil spirits?

Panel shows about nonsense work best when there's an element of competition, and that is lacking here. Jon encouraged his guests to rank their worries as red, amber or soothing green - but really, who cares?

The one segment that concerned me was about dishwashers. Jon claimed he frets when plates and cutlery are loaded incorrectly.

But he urged viewers to arrange the knives and forks with their points upwards. That's lethal -- if you slip while the dishwasher door is open, you'll end up like a pincushion. Now there's a real worry.

A new series in which the fretful comedian indulges his litany of anxieties. His concerns are manifold (from haunted puppets to sleep talking) and, joined by fellow comics Suzi Ruffell and Josh Widdicombe, he hopes to discuss and therefore exorcise some of them.

Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier preview

Overall, it's an entertaining passer of time, which is all that a panel show really needs to be, but with an extra edge thanks to Richardson's proud fastidiousness. He's a man on a mission to ensure every dishwasher is correctly loaded, and he's going to use this nationwide TV platform to preach that gospel.

Rarely Asked Questions - Suzi Ruffell

I am scared of most things so I rarely do anything dangerous, embarking on a career with no security, no pension and have no back up plan, will probs be fine though, right?

Suzi Ruffell interview

Stand-up and doing comedy is a job that takes lot out of you and you, basically have to commit your life to it.