Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie enjoyed the Fringe so much that they decided to stay on in Edinburgh, at least until Christmas.

By now I was their best friend and had persuaded them to help run my seminars. The students were delighted. The pair of them were so amenable that Stuart would sometimes agree to perform his furniture party trick in class. This involved taking a running jump from behind the red sofa then landing fully stretched out across the back rest.

We all got on so well together because we had much in common, especially when it came to music and radio work. My friendship with Stuart was sealed when he spotted the Farmer’s Boys badge (circa 1982) pinned to my rucksack. He was less interested in my Edinburgh Bright Club badge, but when I mentioned my contributions to BBC Radio 4 comedy, both he Mark were all ears again.

See Stuart Maconie elsewhere on Dreamaticus in Mark Radcliffe missing, Stuart Maconie scared (Rousse); Stuart Maconie radio chef (Rousse)