Edinburgh Fringe line-up revealed

Extras star Gervais will perform at Edinburgh Castle

The programme for this year's Edinburgh Fringe Festival will feature a record number of acts, its organisers have announced.

More than 2,050 music, theatre and comedy shows will be performed during the world-famous festival, which kicks off on 5 August.

Comedian Ricky Gervais will perform a one-off show at Edinburgh Castle.

Productions on outgoing Prime Minister Tony Blair and the late BBC DJ John Peel will also feature.

A host of new awards will recognise the best up-and-coming acts at the festival, now in its 61st year, while 90s favourites The Happy Mondays and James will provide the music.

Teenage Kicks

There will also be an international flavour with the return of the Soweto Gospel Choir and the recent stars of American Idol, the African Children's Choir.

Fringe director Paul Gudgin, who will step down this year, said: "With over 2,000 shows in the programme this year for the first time, I am pleased to see an increased interest from organisations all over the country, keen to help nurture and support Fringe artists with this diverse range of new accolades."

The Fringe 2007 line-up will feature almost 200 more shows than last year, about 40% of which will be performed for the first time.

The African Children's Choir featured on American Idol

John Peel's life is examined in the play Teenage Kicks, while Not For Sale will look at the impact of human-trafficking in Rwanda.

Tony Blair is the subject of two musicals.

"Chav" culture, the Eurovision Song Contest and Asbos will be among the subjects featured.

Culture minister Linda Fabiani said: "The Edinburgh Festival Fringe continues to get bigger and better every year with over 2,000 diverse shows on offer this year.

"As well as being a showcase for some of the best creative talent from Scotland and around the world, the Fringe, along with the other festivals, bring tremendous economic benefits to the Scottish economy and tourist industry.

"I look forward to enjoying a variety of performances over the summer."

The festival runs from 5-27 August and is sponsored by the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS).

Allan Watt, RBS head of group brand communication, said: "After 60 years, Edinburgh Festival Fringe remains one of the world's most recognised festivals and once again we are delighted to be associated with it."