Brighton's Komedia venue is severing ties with regular compere Stephen Grant after 22 years.

The comedian says he was ‘astonished and dismayed’ to lose the contract to book and promote the weekend Krater Comedy Club after so long and that the news was ‘upsetting’.

His company, Annephen, lost the tender to run the gigs to Welsh-based Little Wander, which will take over the shows from January 21.

Set up by comedian Henry Widdicombe, the company also runs the Machynlleth and Aberystwyth Comedy Festivals and has programmed tours for the likes of Nish Kumar and Bridget Christie.

In a statement, Annephen said: ‘After an incredibly difficult 18 months, we were both astonished and dismayed to be told that Komedia Brighton were exercising their right to terminate our contract, after 22 years.

‘We were invited to tender for our own contract but learnt we were unsuccessful, and are working our six-month notice period. Though Komedia’s decision to terminate the contract was unexpected and upsetting, we respect their right to make that decision.’

The move means the end of the Krater brand in Brighton, but Annaphen will continue to run gig under that banner at Komedia Bath, a separate company operated as a Community Benefit Society.

Komedia Brighton confirmed the decision, saying they wanted to ‘take a new direction with our weekend comedy booking’.

In a statement they told Chortle: ‘We will continue to operate a weekly comedy club on Fridays and Saturdays and plan to expand our comedy offering further as demand allows.

‘Komedia will always work closely with the industry, cultivate our established relationships, strive for true diversity, nurture the next generation of comics and wealth of local talent.’

As well as booking the Brighton shows, Grant hosted the majority of them. But now the contract has expired he is free to promote rival shows.

Annephen's statment, said: " 'From 2022, we will be producing new and exciting comedy shows in venues in Brighton and across the South, working with comedians, venues and agencies with whom we have strong and long standing relationships.