Dan Tiernan is performing his debut comedy show Going Under at the Edinburgh Fringe – and with previews starting on Monday, thanks to being at the permanent Monkey Barrel venue, he’s one of the first to get under way. The show’s on at 10pm. And here he picks his Perfect Playlist of comedy favourites…

Lee Evans: Wired and Wonderful

This was the first stand up comedy hour I ever watched as a kid on DVD. I was instantly in absolute awe, the energy he gives every single bit is incredible. It was after watching that, that he became my hero and I knew stand-up comedy was what I wanted to do when I grew up. 

 Gavin and Stacey

This is my favourite sitcom. I love everything about it, the brilliant observations about real life, the callbacks and the moving stories about love and friendship woven in with all the gags. 

The level of detail means you can watch it over and over again and spot things you didn't notice, such as the books that they’re reading or the subtle personality quarks that the characters have. 

Love, Actually

 Although maybe not technically just a comedy, Richard Curtis’s film never fails to make me laugh.  So many great hilarious storylines in it, so much so that I can't pick a favourite. I like it so much.  

I don’t even see it as a Christmas film, I could watch it in June and it wouldn't feel at all inappropriate.

 I think my favourite types of films are the ones that can make me laugh hysterical but also make me feel warm and emotional and Love, Actually is the definition of that for me.  

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 Sam Campbell: Companion

Sam is probably my favourite comedian of recent years, he has so many amazing jokes and he sells them so well using the absurd comic character he's created.  

I remember when I first watched him in 2019 and I left in agony because I was laughing so much. What I like so much about Companion is despite the special clearly being a version of his award-winning live show Comedy Show, he's changed it and added things that wouldn't be possible to do in a live show meaning not only does it do the live show justice but it stands up as its own separate piece of work. 

I don't want to give anything away but anyone who's watched it knows exactly what I'm talking about. 

 The Inbetweeners

Yes it’s gross, immature and disgusting - but is still without doubt one of my favourite things ever made. 

I loved it when I was at school and I love it even more now, it reminds me of being a daft insecure young lad and its genius the way that tapped into that. 

I remember going to watch the film when I was 16 at the cinema with my mum and dad and the three of us were crying with laughter even at that age. I thought it was mad that they had made something that could be enjoyed by two completely different demographics, even if the car journey home was a little awkward between the three of us.  

Live at the Apollo

This had so much to do with the comedy boom in this country, it's the perfect mixed bill stand-up show. 

I remember binge-watching it every night after school. It was the first time I’d watched people like Kevin Bridges, Sean Lock, Lee Mack, Micky Flanagan, Russell Howard, people who I now consider some of my favourite comedians.

 If I had to have one ambitious TV comedy goal, it would be to one day walk through that giant smokey door myself.