Evans tops Christmas DVD chart

Lee Evans has taken the Christmas No 1 for DVD sales – triumphing over big-budget Hollywood rivals.

The release of his current XL tour topped yesterday’s charts ahead of Madagascar, Now That’s What I Call A Music Quiz and Charlie And The Chocolate Factory.

His disc had sold more than 470,000 copies going into the Christmas weekend, and was expected to break the half million mark.

It has sold up to 200,000 copies in a single week, which publicists are claiming as a record for a stand-up title.

Evans’s XL Tour has already earned him a place in the Guinness World Records for the largest ever stand-up gig, performing to 10,108 people at Manchester’s MEN Arena.

However, Eddie Izzard has box office records to say he played to 13,632 people at the same venue during his 2003 Sexie tour, although it was never verified by the Guinness adjudicators.

More than 250,000 people have seen the show as it toured the UK this year.

A spokesman for the comedian said: ‘The show captures Evans as he makes his triumphant return to live comedy after a break of three years. He has captured the imaginations of audiences and critics alike with his irrepressible physicality and disarming charm.'

>> Click here to buy the XL DVD

Published: 26 Dec 2005