Zoe Lyons: 10 Edinburgh Fringe questions

Zoe Lyons answers 10 questions about her 2016 Edinburgh Fringe show...

Give us a quick overview of your comedy career so far. Are you happy with where you're at?

I did my first open mic spot in 2003 and I loved the experience so much I decided there and then that I was going to pursue a career in stand-up. For the year that followed I did every open mic night going, there were loads in London at that time so I regularly did 5 gigs a week. I got my first agent, and then I started to get payed a bit, I lived hand to mouth for several years.

My first Edinburgh show was nominated for best newcomer so that resulted in more bookings. In the years that followed I went through a bunch of agents, started to get bits on telly, gigged in New Zealand and Australia. I think professionally the last two years have been the most exciting for me. It has taken me a long time but I finally got some opportunities on telly and radio that I have loved including Live At The Apollo and The News Quiz on Radio 4.

My career has been a real slow but determined burner. I am the complete opposite to an overnight success and I am very happy about that. The longer it takes you to achieve something, the more you appreciate the rewards.

Tell us two truths and one lie about yourself (but mix them up, keep us guessing!).

1. I once parachuted with a parachute that was too small for my weight at the time.

2. I was wrongly detained on a trip to Japan for fraud.

3. I was bitten by a moray eel while filming a reality TV show.

Describe your new show in exactly 23 words.

It's a 55 minute show with a tremendously loose theme in which amongst other things I talk about my love of bin photographs.

Any cunning plans to get more punters in?

I used to do all the extra late night shows in order to get folks to come to my solo show, I even spent a fortune on those big posters one year. My plan this year is to lay low and hope they seek me out.

What's your plan for trying to eat - and drink - healthily during the Fringe?

I am usually really good for the first two weeks, no booze, healthy food bit of exercise. By week three that has all generally gone tits up and I am washing down a kebab dipped in "brun" sauce with neat gin. I am going to make a real effort this year to stick to the healthier plan of action.

What will you miss most while you're away from home?

My doggy, Mr Groucho Barx.

Aside from performing, what else are you looking forward to doing in Scotland's fine capital?

I just discovered there is a scuba dive centre just out of Edinburgh. I might take myself off for the day and plunge into the cool waters to check out some wrecks in the Firth of Forth. I learnt to dive a few years ago and I find it such a good way to relax, plus I won't get bugged by flyerers down there.

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

Wanda Sykes
Maria Bamford
George Carlin (sadly deceased but this is my dream list!)
Eddie Izzard

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

Boudica, because I owe her a fiver and with historical inflation taken into account it will now cost me a fortune.

Why should audiences pick your show over the 1,800+ other Fringe offerings listed on BCG this year?

Because I am wearing a bright yellow dress in my press shots this year and it will never happen again.

'Zoe Lyons: Little Misfit' is at Gilded Balloon at 7pm until the 28th August. Listing