First London solo shows announced

Dave Chappelle is coming to London to perform his first ever full show in the UK.

He has announced two dates at the Eventim Apollo Hammersmith on Wednesday July 8 and Thursday July 9 at 7:30pm.

Chappelle last performed ten minutes of stand-up in London seven years ago in an intimate gig at Kojo's Comedy Funhouse.

An acclaimed stand-up with fans including Jay Z and Chris Rock, Chappelle is also known for his self-titled sketch show on Comedy Central in America – and for abruptly walking away from the lucrative show during the third season, saying he was unhappy with the direction it had taken.

Chapelle has also had an on-off relationship with stand-up, returning to the stage in 2013 – since when he has been touring America and building a reputation for unpredictable performances – not always in the best way.

Soon after his return to live performance he was booed off stage in Hartford, Connecticut, after facing a hugely disruptive audience. But the following night he produced a barnstorming performance. And in March this year an audience member was arrested after throwing a banana at the comic.

Tickets for the new dates go on sale from 9am on Friday and are expected to sell fast.

Here's Chappelle's last UK appearance, where he defied the smoking ban to light up on stage.:

Published: 27 May 2015