After sell-out shows over the last four years, comedic conjuror Pete Firman returns with Jiggery Pokery at this year's Fringe. Expect fast gags and more tricks up his sleeve than Scotland has bagpipes. Here, Lucy Wood finds out more...

What was the first ever trick you performed?

I don't know what the trick was but it would have been something from my treasured Fisher Price magic set. I loved that thing and forced everyone to watch little Petey's never ending magic show.

When did you realise you could mix comedy and magic, and be successful? Can you remember your first paid gig?

I'd always tried to be funny when I was doing my tricks. I think magic tricks by definition are funny. They are little surprises, just like jokes.

When I started doing comedy clubs I began to find ways to maximize the laughs, either written jokes or funny premises. I think my first paid gig was a children's birthday party. Let's not talk about it...

Did you have a mentor or are you self-taught?

I'm pretty much self-taught; magic is quite a solitary hobby/job. Of course, I was taught by all the past greats. Many of them wrote books and you can learn lots by just reading accounts of old shows. I don't think people realise how rich magic's history is.

Who do you admire, in comedy and/or magic? Who are you influenced by?

My great friend Geoffrey Durham has been a huge influence; I admire and respect him enormously. I'm a big fan of Penn and Teller. I saw their first TV show when I was 15 or something and they blew my mind with what you could do with magic.

You're known for being a cool/geeky magician; what is it about that sort of style that interests you?

That's very nice of you to say. I'm just trying to be me. I want the tricks that I do to be great but I want the audience to say afterwards: "Pete was great", not "That card trick was great." I believe is about the singer, not the song.

What is the best illusion ever, do you think?

I was once under the illusion that tricks would get the chicks - not so! I was fooled, that's a good one.
If you were only allowed to perform one more trick in your life, what would it be?

The appearing £50 note trick.

Have you ever been in serious danger when performing?

No serious danger. I do a trick where I hammer a nail into my face; there is no trick to it, I'm actually doing it but I'm taking advantage of little known anatomy secrets. Anyway, I'm doing it at a late gig in Edinburgh a couple of years ago. I start whacking it in and I get this really bad nosebleed. It's just pouring out. Luckily I had a towel in my bag and I could clean it up and finish my set. Afterwards another comic said: "I love the new nose bleed bit, keep that in."

What is the most important piece of advice you could pass onto an aspiring performer?

Gig lots. Work every gig you can get. The amount of time you have been on stage is proportionate to how good you are.

Tell us about this year's Edinburgh show...

It's my fifth Edinburgh hour. It's called Jiggery Pokery and it's me doing the best tricks I could think of and trying to make them super-funny.

What makes you go back to the Fringe year after year?

I just love it here. I can't imagine not being here in August. Plus I just love doing new shows.

What acts will you be going to see at the festival this year?

Lots I think. Pals like Chris Martin, Holly Walsh, Barry & Stuart and Sammy J and Randy.

After Edinburgh, what's next?

A little rest I think and maybe a holiday?

'Pete Firman - Jiggery Pokery' is on at the Pleasance Dome at 8:30pm. Listing