Suzi Ruffell

Focus on: Suzi Ruffell

Becca Moody speaks to Suzi Ruffell about human rights, late-night anxieties and Fringe aspirations.

I talk to: Suzi Ruffell

After a critically acclaimed sellout run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, Suzi Ruffell has had an incredible 12 months. She's fronted her own BBC stand-up special and made her debut on Mock The Week, and that was just last week. Thankfully Suzi is returning to the Fringe this year with her fifth hour, Nocturnal.

Fringe: The best comedy shows to see

If the London previews have tickled your fancy and you've made the decision to go up to Edinburgh, you're bound to be looking for some lols.

Suzi Ruffell: the Edinburgh interviews 2018

Suzi Ruffell interview.

Suzi Ruffell: Edinburgh Fringe 2018 interview

Suzi Ruffell looks at anxiety in this year's Edinburgh show, from global human rights to her cat's quality of life.

Interview: Suzi Ruffell

Suzi Ruffell on what keeps her awake at night in Edinburgh 2018 show Nocturnal.

Preview: Suzi Ruffell

Suzi Ruffell is worried about everything - from someone breaking into her flat, to human rights across the globe, to her cat's quality of life - and it's stopping her from sleeping.

Ultimate Worrier (Dave channel) is stand-up comedian Jon Richardson's attempt to spin a panel game out of life's little niggles.

Guests Suzi Ruffell and Josh Widdicombe joined him to fuss over trivial anxieties: how do cats cope with being bullied by bigger pets, is it possible to own too many underpants, and can creepy toys bought on holiday really be possessed by evil spirits?

Panel shows about nonsense work best when there's an element of competition, and that is lacking here. Jon encouraged his guests to rank their worries as red, amber or soothing green - but really, who cares?

The one segment that concerned me was about dishwashers. Jon claimed he frets when plates and cutlery are loaded incorrectly.

But he urged viewers to arrange the knives and forks with their points upwards. That's lethal -- if you slip while the dishwasher door is open, you'll end up like a pincushion. Now there's a real worry.

Jon Richardson: Ultimate Worrier preview

Overall, it's an entertaining passer of time, which is all that a panel show really needs to be, but with an extra edge thanks to Richardson's proud fastidiousness. He's a man on a mission to ensure every dishwasher is correctly loaded, and he's going to use this nationwide TV platform to preach that gospel.