Comic Alan Carr plans exclusive county gig

One of the UK's biggest comics, who has Telford connections, is planning an exclusive gig at a venue in the town.

Alan Carr will perform a warm-up show at Oakengates Theatre @ The Place, in Telford, on May 23.

The star of Channel 4's Alan Carr Chatty Man will try out material that will feature in a new show, which will form his first UK Tour in more than four years. Maria Smallcombe, marketing manager at Oakengates Theatre, said officials were pleased to welcome him to the town.

She said: "People can come and join Alan as he tries out new material for his forthcoming 33-date UK and Ireland arena tour."

Carr's father, Graham, enjoyed a long career as a professional footballer, playing 27 times in Northampton's only season in the First Division.

He later moved into non-league football and played for Telford United, with whom he won an FA Trophy winners' medal in 1971.

Carr's new tour will be called Spexy Beast and will visit some of the UK's biggest venues in September, October and November.

His tour will include two dates at the National Indoor Arena, in Birmingham, on October 1 and 2.

In 10 years, Alan Carr has become one of the nation's best-loved comedians and is famed for programmes like The Sunday Night Project and Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong.

He is also a popular radio presenter and made his debut on Christmas Day 2007 for BBC with the show Alan Carr's Christmas Box.