What do you think might work out as the best piece of advice you receive ahead of your Fringe debut?
‘Phone your wife every day while you are away because she is probably thinking about leaving you.’

What do you expect will be the least useful piece of advice?
‘I don't think that you need to worry that your wife's personal trainer keeps her company while you're in Edinburgh.’

Imagine this is September: looking back at August, what would constitute a successful Fringe?
My wife is still at the house.

In krugerrands, how much do you expect to lose during the Fringe?
I don't know how to convert loss of dignity into krugerrands.

Back in the old days, there used to be a thing called ‘the festival shag’. Is this ancient tradition likely to play any part in your thinking during August?
I am hoping beyond hope that's not a reference to what my wife will be up to.

Back in the old days, comedians would drink alcohol solidly for a whole month and still manage to get out and do their show every day: how much are you likely to imbibe per day?
I try not to drink too much. I was gigging with the legend Mike Wilmot once and I said I was worried about working drunk, and he said, ‘kid, I've been watching you and you barely work sober’.

What qualities do you expect from a Fringe venue?
If you expect a ridiculously high temperature inside that makes remaining conscious a huge challenge, then you are rarely disappointed.

Will you read your reviews before your run is over and if so, how do you think they will affect you as a comedian and as a human being?
To be honest, I'm more worried about the demoralising effects on other comedians of them reading my reviews.

Next year, will you consider returning as a double act?
I did a two man show with Jason Patterson last year. He consistently smashed it. It's draining wishing the same person to fail every single day.

Do you undertake any superstitious rituals before going on stage?
It's as much as I can do to stop my brain visualising the show going horribly wrong. Sometimes I pray to Richard Pryor.

If you were about to perform at the Fringe for your tenth year, where would you expect your career to be at that point?
I want people to go, ‘oh wow, isn't it really impressive that despite being a comedy legend and hero to millions, Romesh still comes back to the festival every year. Aren't we lucky to have him at the Fringe and in our lives full stop? Bloody hell, he's a genius, isn't he? It's amazing how he manages to balance huge commercial success with an impeccable critical reputation. And he has a huge dick.’ Something like that.

Underbelly, Bristo Square, 0844 545 8252, 3–25 Aug, 6.50pm, £9.50–£10.50 (£8.50–£9.50). Previews 31 Jul–2 Aug, £6.

Romesh Ranganathan on Russell Howard's Good News