Edinburgh Fringe favourite Jason Byrne hails Lewis Capaldi 'role model' for comedians

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Comic Jason Byrne claims it’s not just musicians like Lewis Capaldi that are feeling the strain.He told how he’s seen stand-ups at the Edinburgh Fringe in tears with stress.Having been to the festival for a quarter of a century, the Irishman has seen it all – including great comedians quitting because of the pressure.And he hopes Lewis’s difficulties and decision not to do live shows will “pave the way” for younger performers to be able to take a step back – in what ever type of entertainment.Jason, 51, from Dublin, said: “I’ve seen comedians crying in Edinburgh beside me because they couldn’t do it anymore.“I’ve been doing stand-up for 25 years and I know really good comedians who you will never ever hear about because they couldn’t do it any more and take the pressure of stand-up.

It’s too much. It’s intense.“Lewis had to say no. He’s paved the way for a lot of acts if they don’t feel well that it’s OK to cancel their gigs because the audience will understand.“He’s a great role model for kids.

I’ve met him and he’s a very, very funny fella, unassuming and the perfect gentlemen. Let him write songs at home and not go on stage.”Back at the Fringe for his latest show The Ironic Bionic Man, Jason understands the pressure Lewis was under coming up with new songs.Jason said: “People are expecting him to have a new hit and another new hit.

He has to write new songs. I have to write new material. There is a pressure for both of us to come up with new material all the time.“People think performers – from musicians to comedians – are having the best time of their lives.“They often ask me if it’s hard to be on stage trying to make people laugh and I say, ‘No’.“It’s hard being off stage because there’s this pressure to be