Interview: Andrew Pierce, Andrew Pierce vs Kevin Maguire

Ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2024 we’re chatting with a range of creatives who will be heading to the city over August to find out more about their shows. Today we’re chatting with Andrew Pierce about his piece, Andrew Pierce vs Kevin Maguire.

Can you tell us a bit about you and your career so far..

I’ve been a journalist since 1979 going onto a newspaper in Cheltenham two weeks after I finished my last A Level. I spent eight years in local papers, 17 years on The Times. I was a political writer, political columnist, diarist and assistant editor. I was royal editor and assistant editor of the Daily Telegraph for four years and I’ve been consultant editor and columnist on the Daily Mail since 2010. I’ve been broadcasting for more than 20 years including my own show on LBC for 15 years, a political pundit on ITV’s GMB for more than a decade and I have my own show on GB News.

What is your show about?

The show is an irreverent punchy look at the political scene across the UK. Kevin and I have been sparring partners for more than 20 years. We are the same age, although he looks much older. And we are diametrically opposed on most issues. 

What was the inspiration for Andrew Pierce vs Kevin Maguire and what’s the development process been to get to this stage?

We’ve started our own weekly Podcast: Andrew vs Kevin and I’m also promoting my first book, Finding Margaret, about the search for answers about my birth mother who put me in a catholic orphanage for three years…so Kevin and I will be chatting about that too.

What made you want to take Andrew Pierce vs Kevin Maguire to the Fringe?

When I was on The Times, for four years in a row, I covered the Edinburgh International Book Festival. I always nursed a secret ambition to come to Edinburgh one day with my own show. So, Andrew Pierce vs Kevin Maguire is a dream come true.  I always give the same advice about Edinburgh from my own time covering the book festival: Pace yourself!

Apart from seeing Andrew Pierce vs Kevin Maguire what’s your top tip for anybody heading for Edinburgh this summer?

You must also go and see Alec Salmond, the one-time First minister of Scotland, doing battle with his Tory sparring partner David Davis. They are two of the biggest beasts in the political jungle and just watch them both roar.

Why should people book Andrew Pierce vs Kevin Maguire?

People should book to see the show because Maguire and I have been reporting from Westminster since 1988. We have seen them come and seen them go, and have the best take and the best gossip on our political leaders.

When and where can people see Andrew Pierce vs Kevin Maguire?

The show is on at Assembly Rooms Ballroom from 8 – 10 August at 12noon.  Tickets are already selling fast so go to www.andrewpierceofficial.com for all the venue and booking details. See you in Edinburgh.