There's barely a bad word been said about John Robins' show, Skinny Love, at this year's Fringe, so what's it all about?

What is your show, Skinny Love, about?
Damn! Good question! I knew there was something I'd forgotten. I guess it's about what any story is about really: love, loss, dancing, gin.

Why did you decide to do a show about this?
I didn't really decide, it kind of wrote itself (to a point, try telling me that half an hour before I go onstage). I'm not the sort of comic who keeps hold of material for very long, which is both a good and a bad thing at times, but it's nice for my first hour to be totally new, not anything I've said in Edinburgh before. There comes a time for everyone where it's time to strap on a pair and do an hour, and I'm glad I'm up here with a show I believe in (again, do remind me of this while I'm sweating over notes at 4.45).

If your show was a dog, what kind of dog would it be?
It wouldn't be a dog, because I don't like dogs. If I had to take my show out for walks and clean up its shit and put up with its smell I'd be very annoyed... Oh dear, maybe it is a dog... It would be a cat, one that buggers off for 23 hours of the day and then demands your full attention for an hour.

Complete this sentence: "If you like (blank) then you'll like my show"
Gin.

Is the Edinburgh Comedy Award important to you?
Oh God. I've been avoiding having this conversation with myself. Of course it's important, because it represents a level of approval from your peers, which, for me, is the most important thing of all. I think, at some level, if you don't believe your show is worthy of a nomination then you shouldn't be here, but if you believe it is then you're in dangerous territory. It's striking that balance between confidence and self-doubt, which i think is the main tussle for most comedians.

I noticed that Carl Donnelly told you he wasn't worried because his chances of winning were so slim... liar! He practices his acceptance speech to me every fucking morning, he's even made a mock-up award out of Berocca tubes, tin foil and human hair.

What is the most frightening thing about the Edinburgh Festival?
Probably my own capacity to fuck up or do well. I don't trust myself with that kind of power, especially when a glass of rosé in my venue is 99p. Also the two men who tried to start a fight with me while i was consoling my girlfriend last year, the relationship ended soon after, I blame them.

Which other acts would you recommend this year?
I always make time to see Kitson and Phil Kay, to keep the ego in check. And if you do see Phil Kay, go see him again. John Gordillo has a wonderful show and a compulsive stage presence. Gareth Richards and Henry Paker are absurdly good value in a double header. Charlie Baker is one of those people who just makes me giggle (I'm giggling now). Jon Richardson is a must, he just seems to have been designed to be funny, like a comedy robocop (but tidier). Sarah Millican (if you can get a ticket). I heard someone was sick into their mouth laughing in her show, that's got to be what we're all after. Elis James has a smashing turn of phrase and an even more impressive catalogue of welsh place-names. I could really go on and on, but I've spent an hour doing this and my second preview is in two hours (see above answer).

Can you recommend where to get the best pie/pint in Edinburgh?
This year I'm making a point of finding places to go that are as little to do with the festival as possible; places where no one is in costume and no one looks over your shoulder while they're talking to you. I have found them, and I'm not telling. Though of course, The Tron, where I'm on.

Sum up the festival in one word
Sweaty.

John Robins – Skinny Love is on at the Tron at 5pm until August 30 (except August 19). Click here for tickets.