As part of Leceister fest

Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival has announced its 2015 line-up with Milton Jones, Johnny Vegas, Dylan Moran and Jimmy Carr among the headliners.

American comedian Sean Kelly – best known as the host of imported TV show Storage Hunters – will also be making his UK debut in Leicester ahead of a UK tour.

There will also be a tribute to the festival's original patron, Sir Norman Wisdom, with an exhibition curated by his son, Nick, comprising 57 photos, handwritten scripts and memorabilia including his saxophone and clarinet on display. The exhibition opens on Wednesday February 4, which would have been the comedian's 100th birthday.

The festival is also launching a new format, Euroversity Challenge, described as a 'mash up of the Eurovision Song Contest and University Challenge' in which international comedians vie for the title of cleverest nation in Europe, overseen by stand-up Ahir Shah.

Other comics performing over the 19-date include Simon Amstell, Stewart Lee, John Thomson, Brendon Burns, Christian O'Connell, James Acaster, Josie Long and Seann Walsh and scores more.

Returning events include the Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year, Silver Stand Up contest for the best older comedians, the return of the UK Pun Championships, Comedy in the Dark and Hotel D'Comedie in which comedians perform in hotel rooms.

Now in its 22nd year, the festival kicks off on February 4. Details of all the shows are on the website

Published: 24 Nov 2014