Talk of the Town: Politics is whole new ball game for Izzard

THE Campaign for the Scottish elections has not exactly been one filled with humour, so it was encouraging to see Eddie Izzard in the Meadows at the weekend to help bolster the Labour campaign.

The funnyman joined Labour leader Iain Gray on the campaign trail, and met students at Edinburgh University, where he talked about his now famous charity marathon running.

Not everyone was thinking politics however, and crime writer Ian Rankin clearly felt Izzard's time could have been put to better use, tweeting: "I see that Eddie Izzard was at The Meadows this afternoon. Could've made up the numbers at our football game..."

Comedian's accent is music to shop owner's ears

AVALANCHE Records is a popular call for comedians on their visits to Edinburgh - though the staff are sometimes a bit slow to catch on.

Owner Kevin Buckle tells Talk of the Town that when Dave Gorman popped in during the Festival, he had a long conversation with him and only recognised him as he was about to leave the shop.

Not so with Sean Hughes, however, who visited last Wednesday and was clearly on good form. Kevin tells us: "He came up with his beard and his hat, and his accent's very distinctive. He's a nice man. It was just like being on Never Mind the Buzzcocks but with just you and him."

Spudding gardeners get set

WE'RE very excited to hear about a vegetable growing competition for schools being run by the city council and the Federation of Edinburgh District Allotments and Gardens Association.

Old-style horticultural shows might result in endless rows of prize cauliflowers and beautiful broccoli, but this one has a category we can really get excited about: best Mr Potato Head. Pass the plastic ears.

Picture requests turn crazy

JACK Henderson has been scribbling to raise more money for the Sick Kids during the Easter break.

And it looks like the vast quantities of chocolate the sweet-toothed among us have been munching has led to a few sugar-rush inspired requests.

Debbie has plumped for "Two Ood - Doctor Who aliens - in a kayak going different ways using their spheres as paddles", while Sharon went for a "bowl of shark-infested custard".

And a more sensible picture requester, known as Jesus Christ, went for the straightforward "Jesus and his chocolate Easter egg".

Jack is raising 15,000 for the hospital, which is currently looking after his little brother Noah.