EdFringe Talk: Stuart Thomas: Bad Fatty

Posted in *EdFestivals 2025, *Written Interviews by

“Growing up on a sheep farm in Wales, the Fringe always felt like this mythical place, bursting with opportunity.”

WHO: Stuart Thomas

WHAT: “Bad Fatty is a sharp, unapologetic stand-up show that dives into life as a fat Welshman. Growing up on a sheep farm, Stuart Thomas fuses his working-class roots with a modern take on body positivity, grabbing diet culture by the scruff of the neck and calling out society’s absurd expectations. Proudly embracing his body and bisexuality, he explores sexuality, body image and depression. Stuart flips fat-shaming on its head – turning everyday moments into hilarious defiance. He’s taking no prisoners. ‘A big fat star in the making’ (Sofie Hagen). ‘Made me laugh a lot’ (Scotsman).”

WHERE: Nineties at Laughing Horse @ City Cafe (Venue 85) 

WHEN: 20:40 (45 min)

MORE: Click Here!

Is this your first time to Edinburgh?

Not at all! I’ve been slowly sneaking into the Fringe year after year. I went as a punter in 2019, did a few guest spots in 2023, ran a compilation show for plus-size comedians called Chonk in 2024 — and now, for the first time, I’m bringing my own solo show.

Growing up on a sheep farm in Wales, the Fringe always felt like this mythical place, bursting with opportunity. And it is — but “opportunity” can mean so many things. The chance to perform, to take creative risks, to get lost emotionally and geographically. But for me, the real win is growth. If I can leave Edinburgh feeling like I’ve levelled up as a comic, then I’m a happy boy.

What are the big things you’ve learned since 2024 and have you absorbed any of the lessons yet?

Running my first show in 2024 taught me a lot — not just about comedy, but about myself. The biggest lesson? I can actually do things. I’m capable. And when I push myself, I can create something meaningful — something that people genuinely connect with, and something I’m proud to put my name on.

Comedy has always been more than just a hobby for me — it’s a passion, a compass, and, honestly, a bit of a lifeline. It’s helped me understand myself better and feel more at home in my own skin. It’s introduced me to brilliant, weird, wonderful people, and pushed me to try things I never thought I’d have the guts to do. So yeah, I’ve absorbed a few lessons — and I’m still learning, one panic-written setlist at a time.

Tell us about your show.

Bad Fatty was written by me — Stuart Thomas — over the course of many gigs, rewrites, and frantic 2am Notes app entries. It’s self-produced, in the scrappy DIY tradition of many first-time Fringe shows. No big team or grant money here — just me, a sertraline prescription, and a dream.

By the time I hit the Fringe, I’ll have done around 15 work-in-progress performances across the UK — from Glasgow to Brighton to Eccles (sorry, I just had to plug my little gig Heckles in Eccles) — all of which really helped the show take shape. Some of those gigs were brilliant. Some made me question my life choices. All of them were useful.

After Edinburgh, my aim for Bad Fatty is to turn it into a fully fledged hour-long show, ready for Edinburgh Fringe 2026. In 2026, let’s get those bingo wings flapping and fly this show to success!

What should your audience see at the festivals after they’ve seen your show?

There are so many! I firmly believe in comics helping each other as much as we can. While we’re technically competing for audiences, we’re also building each other up and getting better together.

I want to shout out some of the good eggs I’ve met on my travels around the comedy circuit who have shows this year: Paul Campbell, Charlie Lewis, Sam Serrano, Kie Carson, Molly McGuinness, Aaron Wood, Tim Biglowe and Dean Coughlin. All of them are working comics on the Northern circuit like myself, all lovely people, and all armed with smashing jokes you deserve to hear.

And of course, I’ve got to mention my fellow Welshies: Leila Navabi, Josh Elton, Jake Cornford, and Morgan Rees — each hilarious in their own unique and perfect ways. Welsh comedy deserves more love — it’s sharp, surprising, and full of heart (with the occasional sheep joke thrown in).

Basically: see people who make you laugh in a way that feels new. See stuff that surprises you. And if a flyer’s handed to you by someone who looks deeply, spiritually tired — go to their show. They’ve earned it.

And finally, I must, of course, plug my compilation show for fat comedians: Chonk. It’s my little way of raising the profile of plus-size performers and doing my bit for fat acceptance.

LIKE WHAT YOU JUST READ? FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! OR SIGN UP TO OUR MAILING LIST!

INTERESTED IN BEING INTERVIEWED TOO? CLICK HERE!