...but he denies the booking

Bernard Manning has been booked to play a British National Party rally.

He has been booked to play the far-right party's Red, White and Blue "family festival" on August 16.

On its website the party boasted: "We have today signed a deal that will see Britain's most politically incorrect comedian entertain us

"Manning will be blowing the whole institutionally politically correct nonsense apart with his fiery brand of comedy. Dubbed Britain's crudest racist joker by the liberal media, Bernard is actually one of the rare people left today who tells jokes about anyone and everyone in the name of comedy

"The hacks of the liberal-left media will doubtless throw themselves into a state of apoplexy when they read this."

But the comic told The Mirror: "It's a lot of bollocks. I don't know where I'm working. Speak to my agent.

"I don't know about any BNP nonsense. I would not do it anyway. Do you think I'm fucking barmy?"

But his agent Chris Graham confirmed he would appear at the event near Clitheroe, Lancs, adding: " We are not politically motivated."

Published: 4 Aug 2003