Tez Ilyas talks to us about his new show, TEZ Talks.

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

I started comedy in 2010, finding myself in no less than eight competition finals. These included the prestigious BBC New Comedy Award and Leicester Mercury New Comedian of the Year. Since then I've risen up the ranks and in 2013 was selected for the much-coveted month long Pleasance showcase The Comedy Reserve. Of course I'd love to be higher up the ladder and I hope this Edinburgh will help climb a few rungs.

2. Describe your show in exactly 23 words.

This is a story all about how I endow my audience as potential converts to Islam... Yes really. But in a lols way.

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

Because I really believe in my show. It's a culmination of five years of experience, material and the message of the show is desperately one I want audiences to hear.

4. Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

It's a show where the audience converts to Islam! What's not to love?!

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

I think I'm going to lose an upsettingly big pot of money... But it's an investment (I keep telling myself).

6. What's your weirdest past Fringe experience?

I thought I was sat next to Ralf Little; it turned out to be Ralf Little's cousin. He walked away 30secs after I started talking to him.

7. What other shows are you hoping to see?

Ooh... I really want to catch Dane Baptiste, Sarah Callaghan, Aatif Nawaz, Austentatious and Ronnie Chieng. Oh and Andrew Lawrence obvs.

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

Ooh... So The Rock would compere, Michael McIntyre would open, Stewart Lee and me in the middle, with Chris Rock closing. Boom town.

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

The Doctor. I'd be all like, "no mate I haven't got time for silly but important space adventures, I'm doing my debut hour and I don't trust that you'll bring me back to this exact same moment. Come see me in September!"

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

Because... It's silly, it's smart and it's subversive. I think what I will present will be completely unique to anyone else in the festival. Come with an open gracious mind and I promise we'll have a wonderful hour together. Smileyface.

'Tez Ilyas: TEZ Talks' is at 7:15pm at Pleasance Courtyard on 5-16, 18-30 August. Listing