The acts on the road in 2007

Russell Howard, Mark Watson, Reginald D Hunter, Robin Ince, Sue Perkins, Sarah Kendall, Dan Clark, Natalie Haynes and Wil Hodgson all have dates in the coming months.

And new tours have also been unveiled by circuit stalwarts Rich Hall, Arthur Smith and Sean Hughes – his first stand-up show in eight years.

Before some try-out gigs earlier in the year, Hughes, pictured, said: ‘A few weeks ago I was asked if I’d like to go on Strictly Come Dancing. It was confirmation that nobody has any idea what I stand for. That was one of the reasons I had to leave Never Mind The Buzzcocks. I was getting recognised just for that. I really didn’t want that on my tombstone.

‘I’d been doing book readings and poetry clubs and I realised that the stand-up in me wanted to be let loose again. I want to concentrate on stand-up for the time being. I have the fire in my belly once again.’

Meanwhile, Grumpy Old Man Smith’s show, which starts in Cheltenham on January 26, will be ‘An Audience With…’ show, covering his life before a Q&A session with the audience.

As well as the new tours, there are previously-announced theatre dates from comedy heavyweights Ricky Gervais, Lenny Henry, Russell Brand and Jimmy Carr in the New Year, too.

Click here for all upcoming tours.

Published: 29 Dec 2006