JAMES ACASTER

I never liked wrestling, but I thought The Rock was brilliant, and that is a statement to how funny he is that I'd even watch a show that I didn't like just to see him on it.

What if every relationship you've ever been in, is someone slowly figuring out they didn't like you as much as they hoped they would?

There's not many comedy characters that make me laugh as much as The Rock does; it's nice to have a big muscly guy being funny and stupid.

People like abstract art because it makes them feel clever.

When you're talking about a really horrible personal thing that happened to you... and it doesn't get laughs... I feel really exposed and like I've overshared with some strangers.

The Rock was one of my favourite comedy characters growing up, and I still think he is. Mainly because he took himself so seriously by being ridiculous and a buffoon all the time but always took the high status.

I grew up with interesting and funny people. We made our own fun. You had to use your imagination.

I absolutely loathe sleeping in a tent, regardless of the weather.

If people leave the house wanting to see a comedian, they want to see someone speak out for themselves and share true stories from their life.

Certain celebs manage to worm their way out of the spotlight, and I won't stand for that.

If a comic laughs at their own jokes, I don't like it. They shouldn't find it funny; they should seriously believe in this stupid thing they're saying.

I'm not a big depressive, but I have my moments.

The comic I can now never enjoy again is Bill Cosby. He was truly one of the first comedians I got into.

I'm great under pressure.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, sums up the Fringe. Spend a year spitting your guts out writing a show, and people forget your name as soon as they walk out.

I remember being four or five, not understanding how to be funny, so just going around the house and my mum and dad's friends, confusing adults by saying weird things.

Every year in Edinburgh, I end up waiting behind the curtain about to go on stage, and I have a moment of thinking, 'No one's told me what to do with this show. I've done exactly what I wanted. This is the biggest arts festival in the world, and all these people have shown up. Aren't I lucky?' It really is amazing.

Corduroy hits the sweet spot between jeans and slacks. They're a trouser middleman.

I'd say I get heckled quite a lot because I look quite like an easy target. If you're an alpha-male and you think you've got something to prove to your girlfriend, I think I'm the perfect person to prove your worth.

I definitely want to be as good and original as I can.

I'm almost able to be more honest by lying. By making everything up, I'm able to say what I really want to.

There were plenty of times before I did stand-up where I needed counselling, but I didn't go because it would have meant I was officially ill.

First I stopped believing in hell, then the afterlife. Sometimes that connection is still there, and I'll feel an impulse to pray if I'm stressed or upset.

Ross Noble at the Leicester De Montfort Hall on his Randomist tour - it's the only time I've hurt from laughing at a standup comedian.

I know what I want to talk about, but I don't really know what's funny about a joke until I perform it in front of an audience.