Q&A with Chortle Hotshot Dean Coughlin

Dean Couglin is the latest subject in our ongoing series of Q&As with Chortle Hotshots. They are five comedians we selected from a series of gigs around the country who are making their debut at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe and who we tip for good things....

How did you get into comedy?

I’ve always been a comedy fan since I was young. But I spent a few months in Melbourne regularly going to comedy clubs and started to understand the process of joke writing better and then decided to give it a try myself.

What are the most surprising things - for good or bad - that you’ve discovered about yourself or the job of comedian – since you started?

It’s the first thing I’ve done with my life where I’ve actually won competitions, which was surprising. Also how important a room set up is for a good gig. 

What's the best piece of advice you’ve been given in comedy?

Write three tags for every joke. Be sound to the venue staff. 

Who’s your comedy hero?

At the minute, I’d have to say Shane Gillis. 

What’s your Edinburgh Fringe debut about?

It’s a ‘choose your own adventure’ style show where the audience gets to decide the running order of my jokes each night. Hopefully to find the perfect order. I cover a wide range of topics from growing up working class, mental health, music, relationships and the odd silly bit here and there. 

Which is your favourite bit of your own material? And is the same as the bit that goes down best with audiences?

At the minute it’s about the perils of wearing lip balm. It seems to do well most times…

Is there anything in your show that you were a bit reluctant to share?

Not really. I feel like being honest about everything resonates with audiences well. 

What are you expecting from the Fringe?

I’m not expecting anything. It’s my first time at the Fringe so I just want to enjoy the festival and immerse myself as much as possible. And to gradually begin to loathe silent discos.

• Dean Coughlin: Oblivious Sausage is on at Just The Tonic: Subway at 5.50pm from August 13 to August 24.

• Comics chosen as our Hotshots get financial help with their Fringe run, supported by the Fast Fringe showcases we run at Edinburgh. This year our usual 6.30pm show at Pleasance Dome (tickets) is supplemented by a clean, family-friendly version at 1.15pm in Gilded Balloon Appleton tower (tickets). Thanks to the comedians – 12 of them each day – taking part.

Published: 17 Jul 2025