World-renowned author and actor Ben Elton has been named the headliner of the fourth annual Aberdeen Comedy Festival.
The 59-year-old shot to fame more than three decades ago as the host of Channel 4 show Saturday Live and, through his writing, was responsible for making huge hits of series including The Young Ones and Blackadder.
And after a 15-year break from stand-up comedy, he will return to the stage for a 53-date national tour next year.
His UK-wide journey will include a date in the Granite City when he kicks off the Aberdeen Comedy Festival at the newly-renovated Music Hall on October 3, 2019.
Over the following 10 days a huge variety of acts – including recent line-up additions Daniel Sloss and Jimeoin – will take to stages across the city in a celebration of all things funny.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of festival organiser Aberdeen Inspired, said: “It is a huge coup for the city, Aberdeen Comedy Festival and Aberdeen Performing Arts (APA) to have secured such a big name.
“Being a part of Ben’s return to stand-up is a tremendous honour and we are very much looking forward to him being the opening act at our fourth festival.
“We are committed to delivering a world class festival and this announcement reinforces our ambitions for 2019, making this the biggest and best celebration of comedy the north-east has ever seen.”
Ben Torrie, APA director of programming and creative projects, said: “We can’t wait to see Ben Elton make his return to comedy and are thrilled that Aberdeen and the wonderfully restored Music Hall will play a part in his 2019 UK Tour.
“We are proud to be hosting such a prestigious comic and are sure that this will be an opening act to the festival that no-one will want to miss.”
Tickets cost £29.50 plus booking fee and go on sale from 10am on Monday.