Paul Sinha shares Strictly chances in return to Edinburgh Fringe after heart attack panic

Paul Sinha has opened up on his Strictly Come Dancing chances during an intimate onstage conversation which took place amid his comedy show residency at one of the world's top arts festivals, the Edinburgh Fringe. The Chase star, who is currently promoting his new book, One Sinha Lifetime, quickly shot down the prospect of becoming one of the celebrity guests on the BBC show.

Sinha had required surgery after a dramatic double heart attack at the festival called his show to a halt. Strictly stars have experienced health fears too, with Channel 4 newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy warning he was at a risk of a heart attack himself while participating in 2023 due to his high blood pressure, diabetes and inherited heart condition, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Pro Dianne Buswell also nearly suffered a heart attack due to her eating disorder and has since recovered - but Sinha is adamant that he won't be among those taking to the stage in future.

He told the Edinburgh audience: "Not with Parkinson's, thanks - I couldn't dance before I had it!"

The ITV quiz show ace is among thousands of performers who'll continue to wow the city until August 25 - we attended and feel that Raise The Barre, a dance show and musical fusion extravaganza featuring ballet dancers with guitars twirling in tutus to rock 'n' roll tunes, could be the best show of the entire festival.

With a diverse soundtrack featuring everyone from Guns 'n' Roses to Rihanna, and break-dancers backflipping alongside the rest of the cast, it breaks the misconception that ballet should only be performed to traditional classic tunes and is an hour of absolutely riotous fun which you won't want to see end.

Elsewhere, Footballers' Wives: The Musical is a blast from the past focusing on the other halves of Premiership players, including the fictional captain's wife Tanya Turner, whom you'll recognise from the ITV show of the same name.

With attempted murder just a few minutes into the show, this is one plot viewers won't forget, while You're Fired! The Musical is another excellent choice based on Alan Sugar's The Apprentice, portraying the cruel and cut-throat world of corporate business, with a touch of humour and a heart-warming ending.

As well as dance and comedy, there's a diverse rotating cast of burlesque stars and magicians in Best of Cabaret 2025, which is held in an atmospheric cave venue in the heart of the city.

There are still two weeks of non-stop entertainment, and for anyone making the journey down, a few excellent hotels are well worth a stay: The Resident feels like a remote country retreat despite being an easy 15 minute walk from the city centre, and will offer a blissfully uninterrupted sleep away from noisy crowds.

The festival atmosphere is great, but being in the midst of the entertainment zone 24/7 can be noisy, so this hotel, which has food-making facilities in the room, offers an excellent respite, and it's three minutes walk away from Dean Village, with its scenic bridge, a mini waterfall and great walking routes virtually on the doorstep.

Another undeniably excellent choice - luxurious country house The Roseate - is a little further out from the centre, but has a bus stop right outside the door, along with a top restaurant, The Dunstane, for melt-in-the-mouth local seafood and spirits, and afternoon tea.

Meanwhile, for those who want to combine city life with the beach, the Marine hotel in nearby North Berwick (a 25 minute train ride away) is famed for its on-site golf offering and scenic seaside location, with a view of iconic Bass Rock to be seen from the windows.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs from now until August 25.