BARNARD Castle's comedy club has a host of top names and outstanding tour shows in the 2018 season for Teesdale running until September.

Funny Way To Be Comedy offers shows at The Witham and one-off events at both The Old Well in Barnard Castle as well as further afield at the Scarth Hall in Staindrop.

On Friday, February 23, firm favourite Jason Cook appears in a somewhat different show with swing singer Glen Roughead combining in an evening of laughs, songs and stupidity.

Over the past couple of years, Canadian Bobby Mair has appeared on British TV and the UK comedy circuit. He has supported the likes of top American stand-ups Bill Burr and Doug Stanhope on tour, and is a seasoned panellist on 8 out of 10 Cats, Never Mind The Buzzcocks and his first comedy series for Viceland aired last summer.

He brings his debut UK tour show, Loudly Insecure, to The Witham on Friday, March 2.

On Friday, April 6, Lucy Porter returns to Barnard Castle asking: “How do we know which causes are worth fighting for?”

Porter uses her hilarious experiences to help the audience decide. A regular on TV and radio, she has had recent appearances on QI, Live At The Apollo, Room 101, News Quiz and The Now Show.

Stand-up comedian, poet, improviser and TV stalwart Phill Jupitus arrives on Saturday, April 21, for tales, laughs and diversions as he drags laughs out of the chaos of his own life and the uncertain world that surrounds it. Adult themes and situations, but delivered childishly.

Star of Radio 4’s Relativity, Richard Herring, is at the club on Saturday, May 19, with his show Oh Frig, I’m Fifty, a landmark that provides the backdrop for the second instalment in his examination of ageing.

June 23 is the date of a special evening with comedian George Egg returning with a new show demonstrating more live cooking and laugh-out-loud comedy.

July sees top quality Edinburgh preview four acts headed for the Edinburgh Fringe performing new material, a double bill with rising star Lauren Pattison and Gyles Brandreth returning for a third year with his new one-man show, Break A Leg!, a celebration of all things theatrical.

The programme ends on September 8 with A Mock The Week regular and recent star of the new Live At The Apollo Gary Delaney.

One-off shows at the Old Well Inn in Barnard Castle on Monday, March 26, bring Lee Kyle’s UK tour of Folly and on Sunday, March 11, at the Scarth Hall in Staindrop the club hosts an evening with TV and radio star Alun Chochrane.

Promoter Peter Dixon said: "We had a tremendous 2017 with over 30 shows and a combined audience of more than 5,000 in intimate venues in Teesdale. We have been attracting people from all over the North to Barnard Castle.

Mark Steel (May 12) and Rich Hall (June 7) are already sold out. Tickets for other shows are available from funnywaytobe.com and the Witham box office.