Who puts your pants in the washing machine?
I do. I’m actually a big fan of chores. I find them very relaxing and they give you good thinking time.
Which words make you giggle or give you an inner flip of amusement?
Limes. We had a running joke on our podcast about that word for some reason.
Tell us about your favourite addictions.
I am blessed without an addictive personality luckily so can do anything in moderation if I so choose.
What’s your favourite comedy routine of all time?
Norm Macdonald’s routine about heart attacks and buying a defibrillator.
Where is your favourite place to go for food during the Edinburgh Fringe?
The Auld Hoose serves vegan nachos that are so big that it feels like an episode of Man Vs Food. A couple of times each fringe a few of us go there to take on the challenge.
What’s the weirdest thing an audience member has ever said to you?
I once got invited to a party after a gig and it turned out to be a 50th birthday party of the stepfather of the person who asked me. It was in a conservatory about 10 miles away. I went and it ended up being a fun but quite strange evening.
What have you learned about life through performing at the Fringe?
To not worry about what people think of you. My early years at the fringe were spent stressing about reviews, etc. but once I learned to stop reading them and just enjoy being at the biggest arts festival in the world performing my own show, I started enjoying it a lot more.
If you could be in a sketch with any two living comedians, who would they be and what would the sketch be about?
Tommy Tiernan and Phil Kay. They’re my two favourite comedians so it would probably be about an awkward fan boy who is trying to act cool around two of his heroes.
Tell us about a coincidence or piece of luck that led you to where you are today.
Going to the Banana Cabaret in South London in 2002 because my girlfriend at the time wanted to watch some comedy. I had never seen stand-up before and it blew my mind and set me on a course that ended with me trying it a few years later. The rest is history.
Who are you most excited about seeing this year?
The guys who run Jordan Valley whole foods on Nicholson Street. Every fringe I live around the corner and pop in most days and not only do I really like the food they sell but I love just how little they care about the fringe. They are a daily dose of reality amongst all the madness.
What can you definitely advise us against doing in Edinburgh?
Constantly talking to people about shows. We’re all up there doing and seeing shows so it’s nice to chat to people about normal things to remind ourselves we’re not the centre of the universe.
Catch Carl Donnelly: Strictly Carl Donnelly! at The Counting House at 6.45pm, 2 – 26 August (not 13)
Join this ‘observational genius’ (Guardian) for his 10th solo show! In 10 years he’s been married, divorced, happy, depressed and twice nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award. This year he’s taking stock and seeing if his life, in those 10 years of coming to the Fringe, has lived up to his expectations. You may have seen him on telly (Mock The Week, Comedy Central) and he’s ‘ludicrously funny’ (Skinny). Come along innit.
Punchline 