The Birmingham Comedy Festival has been drawing attention to the city’s vibrant (and often unsung) comedy scene since 2001 when the debut festival hit the road running thanks to appearances from Peter Kay and Sean Lock in a programme of over 40 events.

Since then, the festival has grown into one of the largest independent arts festival in the region.

Alongside a vast range of new local acts, the festival has featured such A-list heavy-hitters as Lee Evans, Michael McIntrye, the cast of cult TV sketch series The Fast Show, Lenny Henry, Ross Noble, John Bishop, Miranda Hart, Jimmy Carr, Alan Carr, Al Murray The Pub Landlord, Sarah Millican, Russell Brand, Jack Whitehall, Stephen Merchant, Adam Hills, Josh Widdicombe, Harry Hill, Greg Davies and even Ken Dodd!

There’s also been celebrations dedicated to Red Dwarf, Tony Hancock, Ealing Studios, Laurel and Hardy, Monty Python and The Goon Show (the first time a Goon Show script has been officially staged outside of the BBC, we gather!)