Talk of the town: Recognition for Sheppard’s flock

THE Stand Comedy Club has celebrated its 15th birthday in style after its managing director, Tommy Sheppard, was honoured for his behind-the scenes contribution to the world of stand-up.

At the prestigious Chortle Awards in London, he was named recipient of the Offstage Contribution award.

That prompted the 54-year-old to recall the early days of the popular York Place club, then in the Grassmarket.

He said: “On the opening night, the crowd was one adult and six students and the opening take on the door was £22 – it was £4 full price and £3 concession.

“We didn’t have a booking system, or a computer, and sold tickets on the door. We didn’t know how many would be there.”

• THEY say every cloud has a silver lining, and it might just be the case for shivering punters in the Capital this week.

Local bookies have admitted they are running scared of the winter weather, and are expecting a big pay-out on bets for snow to fall on Easter Sunday, with Edinburgh’s odds slashed to 5/4.

Of course, if you have a more optimistic take on life you could always take up the 8/1 odds that a temperature of 100F is recorded in the UK in 2013.

• SHE’s one of Scotland’s best-loved children’s TV characters – but health-conscious bosses at the Beeb are now getting Tig off her regular diet of fish fingers and ketchup after complaints suggested it would promote junk food.

Instead, they have a fitness regime for their star which includes the three-year-old eating salad and asking for tomatoes while taking a walk up Arthur’s Seat with her dad.

• HE has made it a feature on the sightseeing guide for readers of his Rebus series.

But writer Ian Rankin has warned on Twitter: “Hoping everyone who posts a pic of themselves outside the Oxford Bar then goes in and buys a drink . . .”