Unveiled: Comedy stars heading to York as fab Fringe line-up is finalised

Order in your spare underwear. Some of the most pant-wettingly funny people in Britain are heading our way this summer.

The team behind York’s new ten-day summer spectacular the Great Yorkshire Fringe have unveiled the final line-up. And it includes big names ready to deliver the big laughs.

We already knew Al Murray and Henning Wehn were on the bill.

So who else can we expect?

Paul Merton

As any fan of Have I Got News For You will know, Paul Merton can generate laughter from thin air. Here he teams up with his Impro Chums to spontaneously create a show, spinning comedy gold from a few audience suggestions.

Reginald D Hunter

Mercurial, honest, and ready to tread where other comedians dare not, Reginald D Hunter is just ending a sell-out tour – but he’ll be back in York this summer.

Tim Brooke-Taylor

Tim Brooke-Taylor started performing comedy in 1964 with the Cambridge Footlights. Which means he has a 51-year pedigree of making people laugh, in TV shows like At Last The 1948 Show and The Goodies. He’s also a stalwart of radio’s funniest programme, I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue.

Tim co-wrote the classic Four Yorkshiremen sketch, which will be reprieved at the Fringe on August 1 – Yorkshire Day. As part of a special podcast, the sketch will be performed on stage with some very special guest stars, to be revealed…

Great Yorkshire Fringe founder Martin Witts said:

Come to the cabaret

Parliament Street is being turned into an astroturfed village green for the festival. Three fantastic temporary venues will pop up for the ten day spectacular – the White Rose Rotunda and The Turn Pot, and a newly commissioned space, The Tea Pot.

These will be buzzing with different entertainment during the day and into the night. Among the many cabaret shows lined up are drag comedy musical extravaganza Margaret Thatcher, Queen of Soho and The Supreme Fabulettes.

Among the magicians are West End Magic and Morgan & West. Theatre includes One Man Breaking Bad.

And there’s plenty of live music too. Direct from London’s world-famous jazz club, Ronnie Scott’s musical director and his All Stars will take to the stage to celebrate The Ronnie Scott Story.

New star is born

The Fringe contest to find Yorkshire’s funniest new star has already attracted 100 entries.

Heats will run every night at 5.30pm in the Tea Pot, with a grand final on the last day of the festival.

As well as receiving the coveted Golden Pudding, the winner will pocket £500 cash and will be booked to perform at Leicester Square Theatre in London’s West End.

It’s altogether going to be a funny ten days…