Endurance comic goes for record

Edinburgh has been hit by bad weather - but still the crowds come

A comedian is hoping to break the world record for the longest stand-up routine on Monday, at the Edinburgh Fringe festival.

Mark Watson's Overambitious 24-Hour Show began at 2355 BST on Sunday at Wilkie House Chapel, which holds 60.

But minutes later, after about 100 ticket-holders arrived, Watson switched to a larger auditorium at the Cowgate venue - still performing his act.

Even when visiting the toilet, he hopes to keep it going "by Chinese whispers".

The former Cambridge Footlights member, originally from Bristol, said he had eaten a big meal, including a large bowl of Spaghetti Bolognese and several cola drinks, immediately before going on stage.

He had a plan for every hour of his act, Watson added - but some were "looser than others".

Expected highlights include a debate on the existence of God, a Euro 2004 review, and readings from his debut novel, Bullet Points.

Watson, who lives in London, said the idea for the marathon "just came into my head and once it was there, I could not go back".

It is a mixture of bloody-mindedness and Puritanism Mark Watson

"Part of it is also because for some time I have felt the spirit of Edinburgh has wasted away a bit.

"It has become very commercial and competitive and a bit like a career treadmill.

"I wanted to try to buck that trend and I quite like endurance acts and the idea of doing things others would not try.

"So I guess it is a mixture of bloody-mindedness and Puritanism."

Watson, 24, has played the Fringe in four previous years, winning the Daily Telegraph Open Mic award in 2002.