AS soon as any performer finishes one Fringe run, chances are they’ll already be preparing for the next one.

But that’s not the case for comedians and husband-and-wife duo Paul Merton and Suki Webster, who are bringing their improv show to this year’s Fringe.

Many will of course know Merton from his appearances on the BBC’s Have I Got News For You, but he and Webster will be performing at this year’s festival from August 9 to 19.

“I love the Edinburgh Fringe, it’s one of the highlights of my year,” Webster tells the Sunday National.

“I’ve made good friends in Edinburgh, some of them started as audience members and now one of them is a really close friend so I’m up here a couple of times a year.”

The playful nature of what you can expect at the show is evident from the pair themselves, particularly when they're asked what it’s like working together as husband and wife.

“It’s a nightmare,” Merton replies.

“I don’t know how Suki found out we were going to Edinburgh. Yeah, it’s horrendous.”

Laughing, Webster says “it’s terrible,” before Merton concedes “I suppose my answer will look bad in print.”

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“Make sure this says we’re laughing,” his wife adds.

There’s certain to be plenty of laughs at their upcoming show which offers a challenge in that it’s hard to describe because, as an improv show, every day will offer something different.

Merton explains: “I enjoy that aspect of difference. I did a solo tour back in 1999, I’m not suited to being a stand-up because I’d be in the dressing room, drinking a cup of tea and not knowing how much I was really enjoying it all.

“But with improv, you’re not on your own. People can come on as a comedy butler and every show is completely different because it’s just made-up.

“All you need is a pen and a piece of paper.”

“Yes, and we even forget that sometimes,” Suki adds.

She echoes Merton’s thoughts though, saying the inherent joy in the show is that it’s done as a team rather than on your own.

“Sometimes you can see where it’s heading. At times we make ourselves laugh, Paul can say something funny which I won’t be expecting and he really does make me giggle on stage.”

The pair make it seem so easy but admit themselves that some people will be nervous before stepping on stage.

“With new people, we just try telling them there’s nothing to be nervous about because the show doesn’t exist,” Merton says.

“You have an eye and an ear on the audience and if a scene is running out of steam you can change or leave and you’re constantly ... not tinkering necessarily, but adjusting in terms of how it’s working with the audience.”

Asked for a memorable moment, good or bad, during their time in improv, the couple pause before Merton adds: “I suppose the difficulty is it’s difficult to remember because your brain knows this isn’t going to happen again.

“People will come up to me and tell me they loved the bit with the parrot playing rugby but you have no idea what they’re talking about.”

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Heading to the Fringe can be a challenge for many festival-goers, who will likely be overwhelmed with the volume and diversity of the acts on display.

If that’s the case, Merton and Webster’s show is the one for you. Just be sure not to ask them about it afterwards.

Paul Merton and Suki Webster’s Improv Show is running from August 9-19 – click HERE for more information on tickets.