THE EDINBURGH Festival Fringe starts on Friday with performers coming from all over the world – including a former reporter from Stroud.

Five years ago, Alex Love, 30, left his job at the SNJ’s sister paper the Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard to move to London to try and make it as a stand-up comedian. This year, he takes his first solo show to the fringe.

“It was definitely a risk but I thought it was worth taking,” said Alex, who grew up in Brimscombe and attended Sir William Romney’s School in Tetbury.

Alex’s show is called How To Win A Pub Quiz, which involves the audience playing along.

“The show is roughly split between me doing stand-up and a quiz,” he said. “It also gives me a chance to use all the pieces of trivia I’ve accumulated over the years.

“Doing a full-run at Edinburgh is the most brutal challenge there is for a performer. It is non-stop and there’s nowhere to hide but this will be my fourth year up there and I know what I’m letting myself in for.

“It’s going to be strange not doing a show with a friend this year. But the previews have gone well, so hopefully that’s a good sign.”

Although comedy is difficult, Alex says he finds it easier than being a reporter.

“I don’t think anyone realises quite how tough it is being a reporter for a local newspaper,” he said.

“You work long hours and there is usually someone shouting at you for something. In comedy, you do sometimes get drunken hecklers to deal with but you can put them in their place with a stinging insult. That approach definitely wouldn’t go down too well with editors or councillors.”

The show runs from August 2-23 – see alexlove.co.uk/howtowinapubquiz