Comedian Matt Forde on Anas Sarwar, the SNP and how surviving cancer has given him fresh joy for the Fringe

A year is a long time in ­politics but for comedian Matt Forde the last 12 months have been life-changing after being diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer.The 41-year-old funnyman, who has made a career out of mocking politicians, was overcome with crippling back and leg pain just days before taking the stage for his Edinburgh Fringe show last year.He feared it may have been his last time performing at the legendary festival.But now he’s set to return to the capital for his End of An Era tour this year after having major surgery to remove part of his spine and having to learn to walk again.Ahead of his 26-night run at the Pleasance Beyond starting at the end of this month, Matt said: “I never miss a festival, I’ve been doing it every year since 2010 and it’s just such a big part of my year.“Edinburgh is a ­phenomenal city and such a beautiful place and I love the atmosphere around the festival, and the ­audiences that come from across Scotland and the UK, and the world.“The thought of not being there really just was quite hard to stomach so I’ve pushed myself to be able to do it.”He added: “This time last year I was getting this pain like I’d pulled my hamstring but when I got to Edinburgh it went through the roof."It was this explosive relentless pain in my left buttock and back of the left thigh that was red hot nerve pain and I couldn’t lie down or even sit down.“They found out it was cancer at the base of my spine and it had touched the nerve.“That feels like it was a long way behind me now, thank God, and it’s quite special to imagine that I’ll be back on stage within a year.”The impressionist and Spitting Image writer is continuing to recover after his latest MRI scan showed his cancer hadn’t returned.Walkin