The key to Edinburgh Fringe stardom? Having your own TikTok army

During lockdown, fledgling comedians won virtual acclaim. Now they hope real-life festival crowds will find them just as funny

How does a newcomer fill a theatre while up against thousands of rival entertainers? This is the challenge posed by the Edinburgh fringe festival. But an answer can now be found on TikTok.

Several of the up-and-coming talents at the fringe for the first time next month are already celebrities on the social media site, andwill arrive equipped with bands of admiring followers to match those of established names on the comedy circuit. But will their online audience turn up in real life?