One of the biggest names on the UK comedy circuit is set to headline a festival in the South West.
Sir Lenny Henry will headline the Rode Comedy Festival in Somerset in 2026, with the five-night event marking his only comedy festival appearance of the year.
The festival will also feature performances from big names such as Romesh Ranganathan, Katherine Ryan, Tom Davis, Jen Brister, and Iain Stirling.
The organisers of the the festival said it was a "line-up that punches well above the weight of a boutique Somerset festival" and "confirms Rode’s remarkable reputation for attracting world-class talent".
The line-up also includes Radio 4 regulars Zoë Lyons and Tom Wrigglesworth, comedian and actor Tom Rosenthal, Funny Women Award winner Laura Smyth, and up-and-coming acts Micky Overman, Josh Jones, and Kyra Gray.
All shows will be hosted by festival co-founder Jarred Christmas, with support from beatboxer Hobbit.
The festival was founded by comedian Jarred Christmas and arts marketer Amelia Christmas on the aftermath of the Covid pandemic.
It has since grown into a major comedy highlight in the South West.
A new addition for 2026 is an afternoon gameshow hosted by Mr Christmas and Hobbit.
Rhod Gilbert and other surprise guests will take part in the event, which will raise funds for Dorothy House and We Hear You, a Frome-based cancer counselling charity.
General sale tickets will be available from Tuesday, May 5 at 10am via rodecomedyfestival.com.
A spokesman for the festival said: "The Rode Comedy Festival has revealed its full line-up for 2026.
"General sale tickets launch on Tuesday 5 May at 10am.
"Rode Comedy Festival was founded by comedian Jarred Christmas and arts marketer Amelia Christmas after the pandemic brought live events to a grinding halt."
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