I was punched in the face during Fringe performance - now it's my new show

A comedian who was punched in the face during his final performance at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to return to the stage with a new show telling the story of his ordeal.

James Trickey was performing his final set of the festival last year when a fire alarm sparked the evacuation of the Pleasance Courtyard - including Mr Trickey’s venue.

Undeterred, the accountant-turned comedian decided to continue his routine on the street - much to the delight of his audience.

James Trickey was punched in the face during a show last year. | James Trickey

However, one man, who had not originally been part of his audience, did not take kindly to the impromptu performance.

“There was a fire alarm during the last show of my debut run,” said Mr Trickey. “There was a feeling that the show must go on, it was the final night, so we carried on outside on the street. But someone passing by didn’t really gel with it.

“He was obviously not very happy with the Fringe going on and he shouted over. Then we were having a conversation and I think he assumed I was taking the Mick out of him to the audience. I’d just thought when he came over that if we hashed it out and I explained the situation, it would be fine.

“I’d already decided at that point that we would stop, it was quite late on a Sunday night and we wanted to be respectful of neighbours.”

However, the man swung a punch at Mr Trickey’s face.

“He split my lip pretty dramatically and my glasses came off, so it looked very intense, I think it looked quite bad,” said Mr Trickey. “I was in shock, I couldn’t believe it was happening.

“He ran off, he just scarpered.”

The police were called and Mr Trickey was taken to see a first aider, who said he needed to go to A&E to get stitches.

“It was just a mad situation,” he said.

Mr Trickey said after the incident, he had struggled to come to terms with the situation.

He said: “I was struggling personally to deal with why I was having such a bad time with it. I knew it wasn’t like it was the end of the world, but I was still quite upset about the whole thing. It turned into me evaluating my male friendships and why we never talk about things and that is what my show this year is about.

“This instant punch has somehow turned into me interrogating the male relationships in my life. It has been an easy show to write in some ways because it is a true story, but it has been harder to make funny.”

He said he would welcome his attacker attending his show.

“That would make for an insane show,” he said. “I don't even know if he remembers my name. But if he came, the script would have to go out of the window, we’d sit down, it would be more like a talk show, panel show thing.

“It would be amazing to just talk to him and just, not exactly right the wrong, but chat. I’d like to get the other side of the story.”

A spokesman for Scottish Courts and Tribunals said Mr Trickey’s attacker had pleaded guilty to the case in May and is due to be sentenced later this month.