MORE big-name acts have been announced for the Fringe by the Sea festival, which returns to North Berwick this August.

Comedian, actor and writer Dylan Moran returns having won the Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 1996.

East Lothian Courier: Comedian Dylan Moran will bring the laughs to Fringe By The Sea

He starred in and co-wrote BAFTA-winning sitcom Black Books and has since won numerous accolades for his television work and live shows. As a comedian, Moran has toured the world many times.

Dance music favourites Groove Armada make a return, having stormed the festival in 2019. Tom Findlay and Andy Cato with their DJ set will be welcomed back to get North Berwick dancing on the opening night.

East Lothian Courier: Groove Armada will get crowds on their feet at Fringe By The Sea

Much-loved singer Elkie Brooks will be performing her biggest hits, including Pearl’s A Singer, Lilac Wine and No More The Fool, as well as many more featured on her recent album.

East Lothian Courier: Elkie Brooks will perform some of her biggest hits

Meanwhile, comedian Susie McCabe will be on hand to keep the crowds entertained.

On the back of her TV debuts on Have I Got News For You, Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and Question Time, Susie also had a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe run and supported Kevin Bridges, Frankie Boyle and Jason Manford on their tours.

Esther Swift combines her love of folk, jazz, classical and all things in between in a brand new commission from Celtic Connections.

Instrumentalists Swift, Emma Lloyd, Patrick Kenny and Owen Williams share the stage with electronic musician Matthew Collings to explore intimate and epic soundscapes.

Best-selling author William Dalrymple – son of the late Sir Hew Hamilton-Dalrymple, a former Lord Lieutenant of East Lothian – returns home to North Berwick to make his first appearance at the festival.

East Lothian Courier: Author William Dalrymple returns home to North Berwick for his first appearance at the festival

The Delhi-based author and historian’s books include the Wolfson Prize-winning White Mughals, The Last Mughal – which won the Duff Cooper Prize – and the Hemingway and Kapucinski Prize-winning Return of a King. His most recent book, The Anarchy, was long-listed for the Baillie Gifford Prize 2019.

Festival favourite Philip Contini and his Be Happy Band also return to sing the songs of Cole Porter.

These acts join the already announced Travis, Peat & Diesel, Patrick Grant, Geno Washington, Singing Kettle, Sister Sledge, Robin Knox Johnson, Dick & Dom and Corto:Alto.

Rory Steel, festival director, said: “It’s really great that so many brilliant acts want to come to Fringe by the Sea.

“Dylan Moran is one of the funniest comedians around, Groove Armada raised the roof in 2019, Elkie Brooks has an amazing voice which I can’t wait to witness live, Philip Contini just loves performing in North Berwick, Susie McCabe is fast becoming one of Scotland’s hottest comedy acts, and we’ll be laying on a good East Lothian homecoming welcome to William Dalrymple.”

The hub of the festival will be in North Berwick’s Lodge Grounds.

Festival-goers will also be able to enjoy a programme of free live music on The Lighthouse Live Stage in the festival hub.

There will also be a Makers Market, supporting local artisans and craft businesses. Tickets are now on sale via fringebythesea.com for the newly announced acts.