The last time I went to Edinburgh Fringe as a performer was in 1985 and, this August,  I’ll be there again, thirty years on. If the prospect seems daunting I'll remind myself that, back in '85  I performed in the Footlights Revue every night and a solo show each lunchtime. In the middle of it I split up with my boyfriend. Afterwards I fetched up in London, tired, directionless, struggling to build on the fun and adventure that had made those Uni years flash by. 

   To say that this time I am more purposeful, passionate, focused and energetic is an understatement.

 My show "All The Nice Girls" had a sell out run at the Brighton Fringe. It's a two hander that I perform with my girlfriend Rosie. It took me until 2014 to come out as gay. What had become a shameful distraction from conventional marriage and family life is now something to shout about. Our show celebrates the lives and careers of forgotten lesbian variety stars Gwen Farrar and Norah Blaney. There's a surprise 21st century twist at the end of the show that makes my heart leap each time it happens. We may not draw the same size crowds I played to back in '85 but I'm confident this Fringe will be my most authentic and exciting one yet!

"All The Nice Girls' is at Sweet Venue 18, Grassmarket, Edinburgh 6th-29th August