Father Ted legend Ardal O Hanlon announced as next huge name for Southport Comedy Festival

THE Southport Comedy Festival is delighted to announce yet another huge name for next year's 14th Annual Southport Comedy Festival under canvas at Victoria Park, Southport, Merseyside.

Irish comedian Ardal O Hanlon makes his 1st visit to the festival on:- Thursday, 9 October 2025 with a brand-new show:- 'Not Himself'.

Tickets go on sale on:- Thursday, 31 October 2025.

Ardal is not only an acclaimed stand-up comedian who has performed world wide. He will be familiar to many from his appearances in TV shows such as Taskmaster, Would I Love To You?, leading roles in Death In Paradise, Father Ted and My Hero as well as cameos in Derry Girls, The Women In The Wall, Return to Paradise and Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything.

He will soon be seen in the feature film, Fran The Man, and the new Netflix series, How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, as well as the CW drama, Sherlock and Daughter.

Oh, it's all there! All the trademarks are in evidence in Ardal's latest show. Beautifully crafted stand-up comedy? Yes. Celebrated use of language? Tick. Lateral thinking, surreal flourishes, sharp observations? Of course.

As for the occasional profundity? Maybe. Despite his best attempts over many decades to put the world to rights, it is still a colossal mess. And so, Ardal has no choice but to go out on the road again.

Like the good comedy doctor he is, he fearlessly diagnoses the various pathologies and neuroses that are currently ravaging humanity. Disclaimer:- No solutions provided.

After an alarming experience at the supermarket, Ardal reflects on who he is as a man and a comedian. He examines his own ethnic and religious background. And thinks twice about the very core of his identity as a voice of reason.

Is everything a big lie? With no major trauma of his own to draw on for material, apart from the drag of getting older, he also turns his gaze outwards at the joys and follies of contemporary life. Towel Animals? A.I.? Chair Yoga? Cauliflower as a main course? Yes. Yes. Yes. And Yes. No current idiocy is left unexamined. With a highly developed sense of the ridiculous, and proper comedy bones, NOT HIMSELF, is a testament to the healing power of humour. And the joy of jokes.

Ardal is the second name to be announced for the 17-day Southport Comedy Festival which takes place from:- Friday, 3 October 2025 to:- Sunday, 19 October 2025.

Star of TV Chris McCausland will be appearing at the festival on:- Sunday, 5 October 2024, 2025 with tickets going on sale on:- Monday, 28 October 2024, 2024. Chris can currently be seen on Strictly Come Dancing but has also appeared on Flagship shows such as Would I Lie to You, Have I Got News for You, The Royal Variety, QI, Blankety Blank, The Last Leg, Live at the Apollo and tons more as well.

The 14th Annual Southport Comedy Festival will be staged for a 5th year in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee courtesy of Elite Marquees in the beautiful grounds of Victoria Park, home of the world-renowned Southport Flower Show. Thousands of comedy goers came along over the last 4 years to enjoy the festival in a marquee and the feedback has been so good that it is all happening again.

The festival has more big names to announce over the next few months so keep an eye on the website:- SouthportComedyFestival.Com.

Learning dance steps for Strictly Stick 'n' Step!

VOLUNTEERS are being put through their paces by professional dancers to learn to dance Strictly-style for Stick 'n' Step's fundraising ball next month. The black tie celebration will be held at Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa, Neston, on:- Saturday, 16 November 2024.

17 year old Harry from Chester is a sixth form student at Abbey Gate College. He is learning the quickstep, which he will be dancing with professional partner Shannon to Disney favourite "I wanna be like you” from the Jungle Book. Harry volunteered to take part in the competition as Abbey Gate College has selected Stick 'n' Step as 1 of the 3 charities it is dedicating its fundraising to this year.

Harry says:- "I am excited to get started with this unique opportunity presented to me and will grasp it with both hands to help others. My family loves the Strictly show on TV so I look forward to:- 'strutting my stuff'. I can't believe the progress I've made already!”

Nicole Preston, who lives in Warrington, is taking part in the dance competition because her niece Iris, aged two, has cerebral palsy and visits the charity regularly for conductive education sessions at its Runcorn centre. Nicole will be dancing a cha cha cha to Cheerleader.

Nicole says:- "Iris is a ray of sunshine, she fights daily and continuously pushes herself, all whilst keeping a huge smile on her face; I truly believe Iris' development has come along leaps and bounds because of charities like Stick n Step; it's a truly remarkable place and the work they do is incredible. I wanted to give something back to the charity as a way of showing gratitude for their support.”

Another competitor with a personal connection to Stick 'n' Step is Markos Kokkinos. Markos' little cousin Bella, aged three, has cerebral palsy and attends conductive education classes at the charity's centre in Runcorn. Markos has chosen to dance a cha cha cha to "Come Alive” from the Greatest Showman movie.

Markos says:- "I'm fundraising for Stick 'n' Step as this charity does such amazing work for our local community. The staff are incredible; they have been there for Bella from day 1 and do so much to support her.”

Along with the dance competition, on the night of the ball, guests will enjoy a VIP drinks reception, a three-course meal and they will be treated to a showcase dance by the professionals and a group dance by everyone taking part. There will be an auction and raffle too, to boost fundraising further. Tickets cost £70 per person or £700 for a table of 10.

If you are unable to attend, but would still like to support the charity, donating an auction or raffle prize would be very much appreciated. Please call Stick 'n Step's corporate fundraiser, Jo Fowler, on 07843 961272 or email her at:- Joanne@StickNStep.Org.

Stick 'n' Step provides free weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 21, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live more independent lives. The charity relies on supporters and volunteers to help raise the £750,000 required to deliver its services to over 100 families each year at its Wallasey and Runcorn centres.

Please find links to the Just Giving pages:-

• JustGiving.Com/Page/Nicole-Harney-1729890117818.
  

• JustGiving.Com/Page/Markos-Kokkinos-1728142068510.

Stick 'n' Step provides free weekly conductive education sessions to children and young people with cerebral palsy up to the age of 21, allowing them to gain the skills they need to live more independent lives. The charity relies on supporters and volunteers to help raise the £750,000 required to deliver its services to over 100 families each year at its Wallasey and Runcorn centres. Find out more about the charity by visiting:- StickNStep.Org.