Wisdom heads comedy festival

Sir Norman Wisdom is to lead the line-up for next year's Leicester Comedy Festival.

The 86-year-old comic is a patron of the nine-year-old event, but has not performed there before.

His show will be based on the An Audience With format, with songs, gags and his trademark slapstick antics.

He said: "As a patron of the festival, I am delighted to be able to visit Leicester and perform with some of my friends."

And organiser Geoff Rowe said: "We've been trying to bring Norman Wisdom to Leicester ever since the first festival nine years ago, so we're absolutely delighted."

Sir Norman's show will be at the De Montfort Hall on Friday, February 15.

Other performers confirmed include Prunella Scales, the Reduced Shakespeare Company, Ross Noble, Daniel Kitson and Scott Capurro.

The festival, which claims to be Britain's largest stand-alone comedy event, starts on February 8.

Published: 26 Nov 2001