Five acts we tip for big things...

Meet this year’s Chortle Hotshots – Edinburgh Fringe debutants this website picked for big things (and a little financial help) following a series of showcase gigs around the country

 Paul Hilleard

How did you get into comedy?

I was bored at uni and didn’t fancy joining a sports society. Went to an open mic saw how low the bar was and thought I’d have a go. Joined the Cardiff Uni Comedy Society.

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

I’m comfortable in an awkward silence. I quite like them.

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

Be in the room.

Who’s your comedy hero?

Mitch Hedberg

What’s your Edinburgh Fringe debut about?

It’s about a few things. Mainly growing up in a deprived market town in South Wales moving to middle-class Bristol and pointing out the weird in both communities. While learning how to express myself in a healthy way. But I also talk about worms, God, heartbreak, road rage and landlords.

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

‘I hope there’s a god so I can ask him: are worms having a really good time or a really bad time? Because every time I look at a worm I can’t tell whether they’re wriggling in ecstasy or agony.’

I tell this joke quite early in my set. It normally indicates if the audience are on my wavelength or not. Sometimes I tell it to early, and I haven’t gained their trust. But who cares, it’s a funny image and it leads to a fun callback later, which usually is appreciated.

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

Loads:

Past/current romantic relationships.

My relationship with my dad.

The Grogg Shop (a local business from my hometown)

I tried to have a balanced approach to the subjects I talk about. Especially when I’m talking about other people o /things people are precious about. As the audience are only hearing it from one side my side. I’m trying to be funny not disrespectful.

What are you expecting from the Fringe?

Get a little buzz and hopefully take the show on a big, small tour (lots of small places).

• Paul Hilleard: Grogg, is on at  Monkey Barrel Comedy in Niddry Street at 22:40

Omar Badawy 

How did you get into comedy?

I accidentally signed up to a pub comedy open mic night, thinking it was karaoke.

What are the most surprising things – for good or bad – that you’ve discovered about yourself or the job of comedian – since you started? What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in comedy?

I’m combining those two questions because I think it’s the same answer.

I wish I could remember who said this. I’ve tried looking it up, but I can’t find it. Anyway, it’s something like: ‘Comedy is the only job in the world where you can literally use everything that you know. Any topic, regardless of how niche, can be stand-up if you find a way to make it funny.’

To me, that was such a surprise and relief. There wasn’t just one way to do comedy. You can come at it from so many different angles.

Who’s your comedy hero?

Genuinely hundreds of people. But I’ll pick Gary Gulman because he specifically helped me when I first started. That year he was releasing one writing tip a day. They’re incredible.

What’s your Edinburgh Fringe debut about?

It’s all set over one day. I’m on my way to a party during one of Tommy Robinson’s far-right marches, not realising it’s happening, and end up getting caught in it. And then I get some ‘life-defining’ news.

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

It’s always whatever the newest bit is that’s working consistently.

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

Yeah, of course. I wish I could be a comic who doesn’t really share anything about their personal life, but unfortunately personal anecdotes are all I have.

What are you expecting from the Fringe?

Last time I came up to the Fringe was just for a split bill, but there’s this zone you can get into after a month of performing that consistently where you’re kind of just... untouchable is too strong, but you feel comedically bulletproof. I think it lasts until about Christmas, and then you’re back to normal. So yeah, if I could experience that again, that would be great.

• Omar Badawy: Guided Detour is on at Pleasance Courtyard at 16:35

Craig Speirs 

How did you get into comedy?

I signed up for a free ‘get into comedy’ course run by legendary Scottish comedian Viv Gee 

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

I've been really surprised at how supportive other acts are endless encouragement and advice around the scene in Scotland.

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

Probably to record every set so I can dissect my set afterwards

Who’s your comedy hero?

Definitely Sir Billy Connolly. I grew up in Glasgow and the man is a legend in the city. Hs influence can be seen all around the Scottish comedy scene 

What’s your Edinburgh Fringe debut about?

It's about me being diagnosed with ADHD in 2018, life building up to the diagnosis and life afterwards 

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

Probably my set I do on the BBC’s Planet Earth –  it's usually very well received. I've started doing a set about a trip to Aberdeen that audience members have been very complimentary about, also 

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

Not really. I think the more you put of yourself into the show the more authentic 

What are you expecting from the Fringe?

Hoping to gain lots of experience with very diverse crowds. Really excited for learning and experiencing the festival as a whole, while going out to see other shows and networking .

• Craig Speirs: Problem Child is on at Terrace at Alchemist, St James Quarter at 19:00 from August 9.

Sam Serrano

How did you get into comedy?

I did acting from a very young age but always when I found out with stand-up you got to write your own stuff and got more of the credit for it I decided to go down that route instead. I did a comedy course when I was 14 which was taught by Paul Smith. Stopped gigging till I was 19 and have been going solidly ever since. 

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

I discovered I'm worryingly good at functioning on little to no sleep after travelling throughout the night.

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

There's a train back from London to Liverpool which costs £9.80. It was a 3.45 hour stop in Northampton but there's a phenomenal kebab shop right by the station where you can get a mixed meat kebab and a drink for £10. so that's travel back from London and food for under £20.

Also, when Wetherspoons have the refillable hot drinks you should take the cup home with you and keep it in your bag then take it with you whenever you go to Spoons. I've had three years worth of hot drinks for £1.70 (this is a joke if anyone from Spoons is reading this)

Who’s your comedy hero?

Doug Stanhope, I think he's the best to ever do it. Saw him in 2021 and he closed with a callback to a joke from 2013 and it got a standing ovation. If you're able to have 3,500 people instantly remember a joke from halfway through a special you did ages ago then you're the greatest of all time. 

What’s your Edinburgh Fringe debut about?

In 2020, I was spat at in the street for wearing make-up. The show talks about that, it talks about growing up queer, and about where as a society we can help move things along (there are also lots of penis jokes, I promise it's not as pretentious as I've just made it sound). I've tried to do an hour long club set about being hate-crimed.

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

The bits not in the show but its a throwaway joke where I talk about being a carer for my nan and I say ‘we had social services come round recently, I'm not sure why. Something about bruising’. I'd say less than 5 per cent of the audience find it funny but I know they're the target audience. Going to go round the country and find people who laugh at that twisted joke and that's my plan for success.

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

I've been very strict with myself to share every detail I can and not hold stuff back with this show. I think it's important when talking about such a big topic/life event that I am as honest about it as possible (however, if Icouldn't make it funny I've cut it from the show).

What are you expecting from the Fringe?

I am going to Fringe with no expectations so I don't leave disappointed that I didn't get a certain review, or a certain industry person didn't come to my show, or I didn't get nominated for some award. As long as I make at least £10,000, I’ll be content with how my Fringe has gone.

• Sam Serrano: Mars is on at The Stand 4 at 21:35 

Kat Higgins

Kat’s debut show tells of her brother’s death to explore ‘Catholic guilt, sibling rivalry and the "sainthood" of the dead’. She is not good at completing Q&As…

• Kat Higgins: In Memory of Me is on at Hoots @ Nicolson Square at 17:10

Published: 4 Aug 2026