The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Former First Minister mocked for chat show
Political opponents accuse Alex Salmond of having an inflated ego
Alex Salmond has taking to the stage Festival Fringe.
Opponents accused the former First Minister of having an inflated ego for thinking his chat show would be a hit at the world’s biggest comedy festival.
The defeated MP for Gordon has recruited Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, who lost her Ochil and South Perthshire seat in the general election, to produce the one-hour show, which runs for two weeks in August.
Promoters say it will feature invited guests, music and comedy, as well as “a bit of light-hearted banter and a few behind the scenes revelations about his time in power”.
Punters will pay up to £22.50 for Alex Salmond Unleashed, which is pricier than top comedian Frankie Boyle’s show been mocked for at the Edinburgh Prometheus Volume I, for which revellers will pay a maximum of £17.50.
Mr Salmond told The National newspaper: “I have always fancied a spot at the Edinburgh Fringe and this is going to be lots of fun.
“Obviously in the show there will be lots about politics but the emphasis will be very much on the lighter side.
“Among the invited guests there is already plenty of excitement and quite a few surprises. I suspect some people might be taken aback at the range of friends whom I invite along.
“I can confirm that the President of the United States will not be appearing in person but he may well feature in quite a few of the stories I tell about recent political events.”
But political opponents weighed in to poke fun at the SNP grandee.
Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw said: “Only Alex Salmond would have the ego to think he could be an attractive fixture at the world’s biggest comedy festival.
“The crowds will almost certainly be laughing at him rather than with him.
“And it seems he’s recruiting other ousted SNP MPs to help out.
“Next we’ll have Angus Robertson selling the half-time macaroon bars, and John Nicolson checking ticket stubs.”
A Scottish Labour spokesman said: “If Alex Salmond really wants to have a Fringe crowd in tears of laughter, he should just stand up and read out his independence White Paper.
“His ego is clearly dented following his general election defeat, and he’s no doubt jealous that festival crowds across the UK are chanting Jeremy Corbyn’s name, so wants to see his own name in lights at a festival.”
Tickets cost £22.50 or £17.50 for the show at the Assembly Rooms in George Street from August 13. gmcpherson@thecourier.co.uk