A Perthshire comedy festival will welcome the self-proclaimed oldest female stand-up comic in the world this month.
Lynn Ruth Miller, 84, claimed the veterans’ crown following the death of Ken Dodd in March, at the age of 90.
The retired journalist will be making her Perthshire debut as she performs at the inaugural Crieff Comedy Festival.
Born in Ohio, she only started performing when she was 71 and finished as one of the top four comedians in America’s Got Talent in 2008.
Her exploits at The Edinburgh International Fringe have already drawn comparisons to Joan Rivers, who died in 2014, aged 81.
The comic said she was thrilled to be coming to Crieff.
She said: “I’ve never performed in Perthshire before, but I’m excited, honoured and delighted to bring my show to the first Crieff Comedy Festival.
“I absolutely love Scotland and I have been coming every autumn since 1978 and I have closer friends in Scotland than anywhere else in world.
“When I used to live in California, I loved the Scottish accent so much that I used to call the Bank of Scotland at 3am just to have a chat and listen.”
She said she was proud to still be cracking the oldest zingers in town.
“I think I now might be the oldest stand-up comedian in the world after Ken Dodd died,” she laughed.
“There are older comedians on TV, but in terms of stand-up I think it is me.”
The Crieff festival will see four venues host 60 acts over three nights.
For most of the comedians, it will be an opportunity to tighten their lines before the Edinburgh Fringe in August.
Lynn Ruth said her show would give an insight into the life of an 84-year-old on the road.
She added: “You will be able to see how life has changed throughout my time.
“I will make you laugh and cry and look forward to your own dotage. At least I hope I will.
“Young people of the world, come and see your future.”
The festival will run from July 26 to 28 and tickets can be purchased online at http://www.beforethefringe.com/.
