August is fast approaching which means it’s time to scour the Edinbugh Festival Fringe programme for the best shows to see.
The physical programme was launched earlier this month, with 3,352 show across 265 venues, and some are already selling out.
It can be a fairly daunting prospect to narrow those down when organising your Fringe.
It’s always nice to take a chance on something, hoping to be the first to see a hot new act - but sometimes it’s just nice to see a couple of familiar faces from television.
Edinburgh has been the launching pad for a host of household names - everybody from Emma Thompson to Graham Norton started out with shows in the city.
Many enjoy returning with their latest show in August - or to try out a work on progress in front of a comedy-literate crowd before heading out on a nationwide tour.
Here are 17 of the biggest, most famous, names performing this year.
9. Jack Docherty
Jack Docherty's comedy career started in the 1980s at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, when his sketch group The Bodgers were twice nominated for the Perrier Award. He's since gone on to star in classic Scottish TV shows 'Absolutely' and 'Scot Squad', as well as being a successful writer and producer, and hosting his own chat show on Channel 5. He's back in Edinburgh in character as Chief Commissioner Cameron Miekelson from 'Scot Squad' at the Gilded Balloon from August 1-17. | Contributed
10. Jason Byrne
Edinburgh in August wouldn't feel the same without Jason Byrne, who has just been seen on television in the Irish version of 'Last One Laughing'. His new show 'Head in the Clouds' is on at the Assembly Hall from July 31-August 24. | Getty Images
11. The Boy With Tape on his Face/Tape Face
It's been 20 years since a little-known mime called The Boy With Tape On His Face arrived in Edinburgh - taking the first step to global superstardom. Since then New Zealander Sam Wills has reached the final of America's Got Talent, had huge headlining runs in Las Vegas, toured the world, and changed his name to Tape Face. He also won the Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize in 2012. He's back in Edinburgh to celebrate the anniversary, performing the first show he brought to the city at the Pleasance Grand from July 30-August 10. | Getty Images
12. Rosie Jones
Rosie Jones looks like she'll be taking a derseved pop at her online critics with a work in progress this Fringe season called 'I Can't Tell What She's Saying'. The Taskmaster favourite is at the Pleasance Courtyard from August 11-17. | Contributed