The Edinburgh Fringe is fast-approaching, with plenty of famous faces such as Miriam Margolyes and Bill Bailey set to appear during the 2025 festival.
Taking place across 265 venues, there are already more than three-thousand shows lined-up for August and searching for shows can quickly become overwhelming.
But if you are looking for an easy place to begin, sometimes it is easier to start with what - or who - you already know. There are top comedians such as Alan Davies and Nish Kumar set to appear, as well as reality TV show winners like Hannah Byczkowski from The Traitors, or Scotland’s own Peter Sawkins from the Great British Bake Off.
David Hayman and Pete Doherty are among British celebrities with shows at this year’s Fringe. There are then American sitcom stars such as Caroline Rhea and Eden Sher putting on their own shows, in addition to multihyphenate performers including Nick Mohammed, Eunice Olumide MBE, and The Ballad of Wallis Island’s Tim Key.
There is a huge variety to the shows on offer during the Fringe and this list teases just a fraction of the entertainment which will be available in August. But if you are hoping to be inspired - or just looking for some general guidance - here are 36 famous faces with shows at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe.
29. Jamie Lee
Known for writing on shows such as Ted Lasso, Girl Code and more, American comedian and actress Jamie Lee also starred in the Judd Apatow-produced series Crashing. In her 2025 Edinburgh Fringe show, Lee will revisit the mysterious death of her best friend in 2004, conducting an investigation and then discussing the true crime case in the form of a stand-up show. You can catch Jamie Lee from August 18–25 at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33). | Getty Images
30. James Barr
You may be familiar with James Barr’s voice if you listen to the Hits Radio Breakfast Show as he is one of the hosts, as well as being a presenter and a comedian. At this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival you can catch him delivering an hour of stand-up comedy in his show Sorry I Hurt Your Son (Said My Ex to My Mum). He will perform at Buttercup, Underbelly, George Square from July 30–August 24. | Getty Images
31. Abbie Murphy
Taking centre stage at the Fringe for her work in progress show Garage Girl, Abbie Murphy is someone who may strike you as familiar without realising why. She has appeared in films including David Brent: Life on the Road and Detective Pikachu, and will perform at Laughing Horse @ Bar 50 (Venue 151) from August 13–24. | Getty Images
32. Jenny Eclair
Comedian, novelist and actress Jenny Eclair will also help Golded Balloon celebrate 40 Years of Fringe with a sit down conversation about her career, with reflections such as what it was like to be the first woman to win the Perrier Award at the 1995 festival. Appearing on August 8 and 9, she can be seen at Gilded Balloon at the Museum (Venue 64). | Getty Images