Salmond heads for the Fringe spotlight after losing Commons seat

Alex Salmond is to host a chat show at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, with audience members being given the chance to put questions to the former first minister.

The EX-SNP leader, who lost his Gordon seat at June’s general election, will host the hour-long show titled Alex Salmond... Unleashed every day for a fortnight in August.

Promoters said the format would 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”.

One of the producers is former MP Tasmina Ahmedsheikh, one of Mr Salmond’s closest SNP allies. She also lost her seat of Ochil and South Perthshire last month.

The event is being billed as a chance to hear what Mr Salmond “really thinks” about current events now that he has been “unleashed from the restraints of public office”.

Promoters said each performance would involve a different “celebrity guest” from the world of politics, showbusiness and sport, but their identities will not be made public in advance.

“I have always fancied a spot at the Edinburgh Fringe and this is going to be lots of fun,” Mr Salmond said.

“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.

“Isuspectsomepeoplemight be taken aback at the range of friends whom I invite along.”

The show will run from 13 to 27 August at the Assembly Rooms.

However, the SNP’S political opponents yesterday poked fun at Mr Salmond’s decision to take to the stage during August’s Fringe.

“Only Alex Salmond would have the ego to think he could be an attractive fixture at the world’s biggest comedy festival,” said Jackson Carlaw, the deputy leader of the Scottish Conservatives.

“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.”

And 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.” 0 Alex Salmond’s Fringe chatshow promises music, comedy, special guests and ‘a bit of light-hearted banter’ for two weeks