PLUS: Gallery of images from the weekend

The fourth Wells Comedy Festival has reported a near 40 per cent rise in ticket sales.

However the number of shows rose even sharper, by almost 90 per cent, meaning audiences were spread thiner.

A total of 6,725 tickets were sold over the 66 shows held in the Somerset city this weekend.

That compares to the 4,853 in 2017 when there were just 35 shows.

The festival included sell-out shows from Rhod Gilbert, Alexei Sayle, James Acaster, Sara Pascoe and a surprise appearance from Glastonbury Festival supremo Michael Eavis as the guest on Richard Herring’s podcast.

Ben Williams, the festival’s director, said, ‘This year’s Wells Comedy Festival was a huge success – the biggest and best yet. The feedback we’ve received from audiences and acts has been overwhelming positive.’

Next year’s festival will take place from May 24 to 26.

Here’s a gallery from this year:

Published: 31 May 2018