Roadshow to showcase new talent

Michael McIntyre is to tour the country to find the best new comedy talent for his new prime-time BBC One show.

Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, which is due to air this spring, will bring stand-up to a peak Saturday-night audience.

Each show will showcase new acts, as well as featuring a big-name headliner.

He told Friday Night With Jonathan Ross: ‘I’m doing a big show. It’s going to be on BBC One in the spring. It’s going to be a comedy roadshow.

‘It’s going to be like Live At The Apollo, which has been a very successful stand-up show. Big production. Very exciting.

‘I’m going to be going round the UK. I’m going to go to Newcastle and Cardiff and Edinburgh and Brighton and we’re going to have new acts on and we’re going to break them.

‘We’re going to show the world that [talent]. And we’re going to have a big headline act. It’s going to be Saturday night. It’s going to be stand-up, no variety.’

BBC commissioner Mark Linsey added: 'Michael is a rising star and we're delighted that, following the success of Live At The Apollo, he's taking stand-up out on the road for us to showcase the very best in established and brand new comedy acts.'

The six half-hour shows will be made by Open Mike, the production company linked to both McIntyre’s and Ross’s agent, Off The Kerb. Open Mike also makes Live At The Apollo.

The show will visit Edinburgh, Belfast, Manchester, Cardiff, Brighton and Newcastle.p>McIntyre was on the show to promote his arena tour this autumn, which was announced this week.

Published: 15 Feb 2009