Kelly Kingham first performed at the Fringe in 2011, at the tender age of 46. He's back again this year and tells us all about turning to comedy, a convict landlord and preparing for a Scottish summer.

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

I started stand-up in 2011 but my love affair with the Edinburgh Festival actually began in 2010 when I wrote the musical comedy Jump, which was performed at the Pleasance Dome.
At forty-five and working in a lorry-yard I realised if I didn't have an adventure soon I might never. My wife said she would support my mid-life wobble as long as there were no motor-cycles or fancy women involved. Crossing the first two things off my list I started trawling the 'How-To' book section on Amazon for inspiration.

How To Run A Restaurant seemed a possibility until my wife said, "You've never even been to a restaurant". Then How To Run A Hotel until she said, "You've never even been to a hotel". Then I found How To Write A Musical and before she could speak I said "I've definitely seen Oliver! on the telly loads of times!"

Reading the book I learned that musicals should always have some music in them so I called my best friend, Toby, and asked if he wanted to go on an incredible adventure! "Does it involve motor-cycles and fancy women?" he asked. "No," said I; "I'm going to write a fantastic hit musical and you, my friend, are to be my co-composer!" Toby dutifully began piano lessons and I began writing the words.

To cut a long story short, the show was performed at our local pub and seen by Anthony Alderson who offered us a slot at the Pleasance where it received great reviews. I was bitten by the show-biz bug and stand-up comedy was the most cost-effective next step. I started gigging and fortunately got to play for many of the most prestigious promoters in the UK including Glee, the Stand, Off the Kerb, Komedia and Jongleurs. I also reached the finals of the 'Leicester Square New Comedian' and the 'NATYS' competitions.

Bringing my solo-show Inside Out up to the Edinburgh Fringe this year is simply the next stage of the adventure! It seems life really can begin at fifty!

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

Inside Out is a feverish tale of facing fear, embracing change, daring to dream and trying to kill a small dog called Colin.

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

Because the greatest arts festival in the world is the only place to be in August if you're a comedian.
It's also a chance to spend some time in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. My wife and I have always dreamt of living here; me because of the proud and decent people, the wonderful architecture and the fascinating history; my wife because she quite fancies Ken Stott.
Plus I also always enjoy the enthusiastic roar of "Freeeedom!" I receive whenever I wear my 'Better Together' t-shirt.

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

I plan to flyer on the Royal Mile in the rain for 12-hours a day. Some people don't enjoy it because they're crippled with self-respect but I love it! The cunning part is that I've been developing the emotional resilience required to face the constant rejection and disdain for the past year. Whenever I bump into a friend in London they immediately start barking "Which way Waverly Station!!" in a weird Spanish / Japanese accent and then beat me with a broken umbrella. To further prepare for the Scottish summer I've started taking cold showers in all my clothes and stirring Lemsip into my tea.

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

I've been keeping a pretty tight reign on out-goings this year so I'm confident I can lose thousands.

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

Once, a family of kagoul-wearing weirdos bundled in mid-way through a show and plonked themselves noisily down. I broke off from my riveting performance to explain that they'd missed most of the show. "D'nae worry; we've only come in to dodge the rain," said a lady with a beard. They then proceeded to chomp and slurp their way through an assortment of Gregg's sandwiches and a Thermos of tea before trooping out again as soon as the rain stopped. As I recall, their lunch was better received than my jokes.

On another occasion, an elderly man grabbed me as I came off stage and said, "I'm not generally taken with you homosexualists but you're like a young Larry Grayson." It was meant as a compliment but I still found it a little unsettling - as did my wife.

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Paul Foot and Trevor Lock.

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

Robin Williams, Laurel & Hardy, Woody Allen, Dave Chappelle, Stewart Lee, Frankie Howerd & MC: John Le Mesurier.

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

The man who rented me his flat for the 2012 festival. My wife and I arrived only to find that it was no longer available as he'd been re-located to prison and had never had the right to let it out in the first place. Whilst encouraging my weeping wife to see a month living in our old VW Golf as "part of the adventure" the neighbour of our convicted landlord came out to investigate. Upon hearing our tale of woe he called a friend who put us up in her spare room for the duration of the festival. So within a couple of hours we had experienced both the worst and the very best of Edinburgh - fortunately it is the latter than stays with us.

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

Because I'm very hilarious; always have been. Even at school people used to laugh at me - until the fire.

'Kelly Kingham: Inside Out' is at 5pm at Just The Tonic at the Caves on 6-10, 12-17, 19-24, 26-29 August. Listing