What an experience. I have never been so emotionally moved, looking back it almost doesn’t seem real.

Fiona filled more than one person’s eyes with tears at the end and it wasn’t from laughter.

No.  It was sad. Sad to watch a lady with such talent breakdown before us.

I just don’t know what to say. I’m not reviewing the show, but I’m certainly not condemning her.  What she did was brave. She came out with a strong, brave face, but what was unveiled was a struggling comic.

She began the show talking about how 20 years ago in Cairns an audience member came up to her during the show and said ‘just go home’. She referred to this as one of the many points in her life when she died a little.

This anecdote held a new meaning by the end of the show – which was cut 20 minutes short.

She was worried. Would she be criticised like that again tonight? I sincerely hope not.

You could tell Fiona wasn’t OK. She wasn’t her usual bright, talkative self. There was a lot of silence, which sometimes turned awkward.

She commented about going through menopause and while struggling to recall material passed it over to the audience for a Q and A.

While one man – a confessed alcoholic – went up and offered Fiona affection and support, another audience member asked ‘Are you back on the grog?’ To which Fiona replied ‘No. Valium.’

Fiona babbled about the fact that ‘we’re all idiots’ at some point.

Then after apologising for wasting our time and saying that we can get our money back, she sat for a while trying to think of something good to leave us with.

In the end she went with the truth. Her heart was ‘breaking into 5 million pieces right now.’

With that she looked over the audience, now shocked and teary, and said a sad farewell.

Fiona was a wreck, but I commend her for coming out and not cancelling. She’s always been honest and told it how it is and that’s what we got.

I don’t think she will be doing any more Fringe shows.

My heart goes out to her and I hope she recovers and we see her back on the comedy circuit soon.