Each year at the Fringe, there tends to be a hot new stand-up comedy format everyone wants to see. Last year that was Joke Thieves, this year it looks set to be It Might Get Ugly.

Launched in London earlier this year, the shows see stand-up comedians agree to waive from their usual material, just up on stage and be honest 'to the point of regret'. It's been described as an "unmissable, unpredictable and inspiring" show.

The format has already hit the headlines, when Harry Hill took to the stage in London to talk honestly and with great humour about the failure of his X Factor musical.

Karl Schultz (pictured) is the host. Speaking to BCG, he explains: "IMGU is the show that challenges comedians to be honest to the point of regret, inviting each performer to deliver something not just new for an audience, but for themselves as well. What emerges is a uniquely engaged atmosphere in each show."

Talking about why the format has quickly become a hit, Karl adds: "I think it's because, aside from being very funny, it's quite nourishing to swim in the company of someone rendering themselves vulnerable. It's somehow less pressurised and more captivating. That's how it feels anyway, from the side of the stage, watching Harry Hill talk about his closed musical or Sofie Hagen ruminating on her romantic clumsiness. Those open, sincere moments make the funny bits funnier."

To give you a flavour of the show, there's a couple of videos linked to the format below.

You can see It Might Get Ugly at the Pleasance Courtyard at 11pm until the 24th August. Listing

Teaser trailer:

Phill Jupitus explains how he ended up replacing Madonna to present a Q Award:

IMGU is presented in association with Mother's Best Child and Live Nation.