Comic tells aspiring stars Fringe 'is not worth it'

A TOP comic has advised aspiring performers to avoid this year's Fringe, warning that the festival "is not worth it".

Dave Cohen, who wrote for Spitting Image and co-founded the Comedy Store Players with Fringe favourite Paul Merton and Austin Powers star Mike Myers, said financial losses on shows would be particularly bad this year.

"Even if you're a comic with a good profile, you're going to lose more money than you ever have in the space of one month," said Mr Cohen.

"With universities completely broke and sugar daddies heading back to Moscow as the debts pile up, there's sure to be far less competition, but that means the only people who will be going are those who really stand a 50-50 chance of doing well."

Mr Cohen said some performers' best bet for making money would be to perform at the Fringe's free shows and take a collection.