Comic John Robertson talks about his new show, dedicated to his best friend, who died last year.

1. Tell us about your career so far. Are you happy with where you're at?

Okay, but bear in mind you're dealing with an only child here.
2003: Best friend drives me to open mic contest in Perth, Australia
2003 - 2007: Failure
2008: Come third in a national competition, lose day job, start doing comedy full-time
2009 - 2011: Write a bunch of shows, win a bunch of awards, open for Mark Watson, Wayne Brady, Jim Jefferies, Steve-O, Rob Schneider
2012: Go viral, get a bunch of commissions from UK production companies, get fat
2013: Play a 3,000 seat theatre in my hometown on my own, get married, move to UK
2014: Get TV host job, LOSE WEIGHT DUE TO COST OF LIVING IN LONDON, best friend dies, rest of year passes in a blur.
(On the upside, I got stopped in the street by a fan who shouted, "John Robertson!" just as I was punching another man in the balls. Neither of them seemed to mind.)

2015: Do two nights in a 400 seat theatre in London, get published in a collection of short stories, wife takes up cabaret and is a genius at it.

Things are fine!

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

"Sick jokes from the heart." Oh, that's five words? 5 is the new 23, that's why all your celebrities keep going to jail.

3. Why are you putting yourself through this famously stressful experience?

This show's for my best friend, who died last year. She said I should, "do something special" a few years back, so I have. It's me laughing about some incredibly personal stuff I haven't discussed onstage, and damn it's worth it (the funniest jokes are the darkest, just ask God).

Also, the Edinburgh Fringe isn't stressful, it's a complete delight! Consider it another paid vacation in a career of paid vacations. I go to the Fringe to kid around with my pals and during my lunch break I step out and do a couple of shows. Not bad!
I like "famously stressful experience", by the way. I look forward to your career as a war correspondent...

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

Nah, I'll just rely on my charm and army of hired goons.

5. How much money do you think you'll lose/make this year?

Either way, more than Greece.

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

A heckler who turned up dressed as a cat and took it personally when I suggested neutering.

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Jo-Jo Bellini: This & That, The Wrestling, Brendon Burns & Colt Cabana, John Hastings, Tomas Ford, Nick Cody, Abigoliah Schamaun, Joz Norris, Bob Slayer.

8. If you took over programming a venue, what would you perfect line-up of comedians be?

My perfect line-up of comedians would involve them queueing around the block, paying to see me. No comps for The Goons, let Peter Sellers pay. Actually, he'd be a whole line of people on his own. We've sold out!

9. Name the one person you'd rather not bump into during the festival.

Nah, they keep Googling themselves and they'll just feel important.

10. Why should audiences pick your show over the 1,700+ other comedy offerings at this year's festival?

Because my best friend was wonderful and got me into stand-up, and you don't fuck up a show that's devoted to someone like that - and we're at Scotland's finest comedy club - and I'm pretty damn adorable for a bloke making jokes about suicide.

'John Robertson: Let's Redecorate!' is at 2:50pm at The Stand Comedy Club 5 and 6 on 5, 7-16, 18-30 August. Listing