Richard Gadd’s Edinburgh: ‘Arrive with an idea, leave with a career’

Although the performance was surreal with Gadd running on a treadmill throughout while being chased by a gorilla on the screen behind, the content detailed his experience of sexual abuse.

The show sold out, won rave reviews and brought acceptance from friends and family of the trauma he had not previously shared.

“My fears of judgement vanished in an instant,” he said. “The weight of trauma lifted night after night. Is this what happens when you reveal your darkest secrets to the world?

“I found the most phenomenal freedom, and realised what it was all about.

“I remember when I went out to collect the Edinburgh comedy award that month, Something I’d dreamed about from the moment I first learned of its existence.

“I said, the worst thing my abuser ever did was take my confidence away, and I suppose this goes some way to getting it back.”

As well as Baby Reindeer, the fringe has been the launch pad for Fleabag, Taskmaster, Six the Musical, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, Stomp, Flight of the Conchords, Garth Merengue, Alan Partridge, Mr Bean, The League of Gentlemen, Jerry Springer the Opera, Operation Mincemeat, and The Mighty Boosh.