Fringe Star Battles Back: Comedian Performs After Two Heart Attacks

Comedian and former "The Chase" star, Paul Sinha, has revealed that he continued his Edinburgh Fringe show despite suffering two heart attacks within a week. The 53-year-old, known for his sharp wit and "Chaser" persona, faced the extraordinary challenge of performing while battling cardiac episodes.

Sinha's first heart attack, remarkably, occurred during an encounter with celebrity chef Levi Roots. After experiencing "crushing, constricting chest pain" while walking to the Pleasance venue, he found himself caught up in a classic Fringe scenario. "Someone recognised me from 'The Chase' and demanded I meet his friend, Levi Roots," Sinha recounts. "Shaking the Reggae Reggae Sauce creator's hand out of sheer politeness, I realised the pain wasn't getting any better."

While the pain subsided at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, no significant changes were detected in his electrocardiogram. Treated conservatively and sent home, Sinha continued performing for a week and a half, carefully avoiding hills in the famously hilly Scottish capital. Despite the physical strain, his show "Pauly Bengali" was receiving rave reviews, attracting at least four-star ratings across the board. This was no small feat, considering Sinha was singing and playing the piano on stage for the first time, all while battling the debilitating effects of Parkinson's, which he addressed with a hula hooping finale.

However, fate had a cruel twist in store. While on his way to see fellow comedian Ed Byrne's popular show, "Tragedy Plus Time", Sinha experienced more severe chest pain. This time, a consultant cardiologist diagnosed a "definitive cardiac event" and confirmed that he had likely suffered a minor heart attack on the previous occasion. Sinha remained in hospital for three nights.

Sinha's experience is made even more poignant by his family history of heart conditions. His father had a heart attack at the age of 50, and fearing the news would be devastating, Sinha withheld the fact that he was gay for years. He also confessed to a heavy drinking habit that began during his time at medical school, where he felt it was essential for social integration. He estimates that he was "drunk 25 nights out of 28" during the 2001 Edinburgh Fringe.

Sinha's story is a testament to his resilience and commitment to his craft. Despite facing immense personal challenges, he persevered, reminding audiences of the power of humour and the strength of the human spirit. His bravery and determination in the face of adversity serve as a powerful inspiration to us all.