Illness forces respected compere to quit

Huw Thomas, the respected compere of London's Downstairs At The King's Head, is to step down after more than 20 years in the business.

Ill health is forcing him to hang up his microphone for the time being, but he intends to continue his involvement in the comedy business.

Thomas has been suffering health problems, and doctors have told him to avoid smoky or stuffy atmospheres. He has even been advised to leave the pollution of London.

He will compere his last gig at the Crouch End venue tonight (Sunday), and the club's promoter Peter Graham has invited friends and fans to come along to wish him well.

But he added: "I will be organising a big, big F-off show later in the year for us all to give him our proper love and respect."

Future options for Thomas include setting up a no-smoking, well-ventilated gig somewhere so that he can continue to perform.

Thomas has helped hundreds of comedians over the years, freely dispensing encouragement and advice, and his urbane compering has made the King's Head an institution on the London comedy circuit.

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Published: 14 Jul 2002