Matt Richardson's Fringe Tips

The Edinburgh Festival is here. With thousands of shows to choose between, it can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors. Matt Richardson, who presents Drivetime on Virgin Radio, may be young, but he's a veteran of the Edinburgh Fringe. The popular presenter, who brings his own show Bangerang to the festival this year, has put together his top ten tips to help visitors get the most out of their trip:

1. NEVER see a show by an American High School theatre group. The more of them wearing matching hoodies, the worse the show will be. I've made this mistake so you don't have to.

2. Bring walking shoes. Even if you don't plan on a trip up Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh is a very hilly and cobbly place. You'll do yourself no favours if you only pack a pair of plimsolls.

3. Eat lunch at Lucano's on George IV Bridge. It is hands down the best pasta I've ever had (and if you see me in there crying into my spag bol, come and comfort me).

4. Try and see some free shows with comics you've never heard of. I did a free show once with Angela Barnes who's now on the telly, and Romesh Ranganathan and Rob Beckett did a free show together too. Brag you saw the stars of the future way back when - it's a great feeling.

5. If you live in London you won't be shocked at drink prices. If you don't... be prepared to not get too much change from a tenner if you buy two pints. A tenner might not be enough now I think about it.

6. Book your accommodation early. Hotels get very, very expensive. If you don't want to be staying at a bleak B&B I'd book NOW for 2017. The Hotel Du Vin is my favourite and it's right in the heart of all of the big venues.

7. Don't feel impolite turning down flyers on the Royal Mile. Once you've accepted one, performers descend on you like a plague of attention seeking locusts. You'll be carrying around more paper than you know what to do with. No, you don't want a flyer to see an interpretative dance version of Othello.

8. Do come and see my show at The Tron. It's great. I promise.

9. Talk to other people in queues, in bars, in venues. Find out what they've seen that's great. Edinburgh is one of the few places where word of mouth is still key so if you see something you like, spread the word. It's good for us comics!

10. Edinburgh is amazing during the festival - brilliant and mad but quite hard to get your head around if you've never been before, so read as much as you can about it before you go.

'Matt Richardson: Bangerang' is on at Just the Tonic at The Tron from the 4th to 14th August. Listing

Matt presents Drivetime on Virgin Radio every weekday from 4pm - 7pm.