Scottish Socialist leader Tommy Sheridan intends to make his acting debut at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Glasgow MSP will swap the ballot box for a stint as a pall-bearer in Pauline Goldsmith's Bright Colours Only, a black comedy about an Irish wake.

Mr Sheridan will carry a coffin in the final act of the play as a funeral procession leaves the theatre and walks along Rose Street at 1315BST on Friday.

Looking forward to his debut he said he was "very nervous" about the play, adding that his only previous acting experience was on the football field.

The Edinburgh Fringe today, Cannes tomorrow - from Holyrood to Holywood

Tommy Sheridan MSP

The Fringe - which runs from 4 to 26 August - began in 1947 and has been wooing art lovers from around the world to the Scottish capital ever since.

Mr Sheridan said he was ready for the challenge but hoped that everything would go according to plan.

"I'm worried I might drop the coffin. I'm told it's not a speaking part so Pauline is playing to my strengths," he said.

"If I had to speak I'd make a complete mess of it. But who knows? This could open up a world of acting opportunities.

"The Edinburgh Fringe today, Cannes tomorrow - from Holyrood to Holywood."

The MSP added: "Pauline is a party member and I was very impressed when I went to see her show in Glasgow, so I was only too happy to take the part when she asked me."

Hooray for Holyrood

Show producer Sandra Marron said: "Tommy will lead the six pall bearers as they leave the theatre followed by the audience who become the funeral cortege.

"We've had people outside in restaurants and bars thinking it was a real funeral and blessing themselves and bowing their heads as the procession goes past."

Billy Elliot star Gary Lewis will also appear as a pall-bearer in the play, which runs at the city's Assembly Rooms until 26 August.

Richard Jobson, the singer from Scottish 1970s punk band The Skids and Scots film director Peter Mullan are also pencilled in for appearances.

Last year, The Fringe showcased more than 600 groups from 49 countries who performed 1,462 shows in 175 venues across the city.