Paul Mayhew-Archer to speak about his Parkinson's disease

Vicar Of Dibley writer Paul Mayhew-Archer is to make his first appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe in 43 years.

Also a producer and a  former Radio 4 comedy commissioner, he last performed at the festival in 1975 as part of a revue show with Andy Hamilton.

His new show is about living with Parkinson’s disease, which was diagnosed seven years ago, and which he describes as the latest episode in the sitcom of his life.

Mayhew-Archer has also made a  documentary called Parkinson's: The Funny Side for which he won the Grierson Award for Best Documentary Presenter of the Year. He has also appeared on stage at London’s Comedy Store for another BBC programme.

He has script edited TV series including Spitting Image and Miranda, and co-written episodes of My Hero and Mrs Brown's Boys, and produced  radio comedies including I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue,  Delve Special starring Stephen Fry and Hamilton’s Old Harry’s Game.

His show, Incurable Optimist, will be at the Underbelly Bristo Square: for the duration of the Fringe.

• Helen Lederer is also set to return to the Fringe for her first full run in 14 years, with a show at the Underbelly entitled I Might As Well Say It, promising to ‘spill the beans’ on her long comedy career  – and her stint in the Big Brother house  –  ‘before she forgets everything' 

Published: 10 Apr 2018