David returns to stand-up

David Baddiel is to make a rare return to stand-up for only the second time in seven years, with a gig at London’s O2 Arena.

The comic will be taking part in a gig called Laughter Lounge being staged at the venue’s 2,300-capacity Indigo2 room in October.

Baddiel, who wrote the recent movie The Infidel, gave up stand-up in about 2003, after about 20 years of live work, but returned for a one-off appearance at one of the Credit Crunch Cabaret gigs organised by his ex-flatmate Frank Skinner early last year.

He said it took ‘much cajoling and bullying’ to persuade him, but after the gig he wrote: ‘It felt good to be back (I say back: although there was talk with various managers about tours and Edinburgh shows, I don’t know when I might do it again). Not just the immediate buzz of a large audience laughing, but also being backstage with other comedians, feeling part of a gang.’

He will share the stage at the October 15 gig with Greg Davies, Kevin Eldon, Richard Herring, Tim Key, Andrew Maxwell, Jack Whitehall and Russell Kane. Click here for tickets.

The Laughter Lounge is a new venture into comedy nights for O2 owners AEG Live, who are best known as music concert promoters.

Published: 17 Jun 2010