Count Arthur Strong returns to Radio 4 and announces 2018 tour
- Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! is to return to Radio 4 for Christmas and 50th episode specials
- Steve Delaney's character will also be appearing in Richmond Theatre's Aladdin panto this festive period
- Plus the character will be touring the UK between April and June 2018 with new show Alive & Unplugged
Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show! is to return to Radio 4 for two new specials. The first will be broadcast this Christmas, with the second - a 50th episode special - to be broadcast in 2018.
The episodes will be recorded in front of an audience on Monday (13th November) at the Lowry in Salford. The producers say: "It's going to be a great night with all the radio show regulars."
Count Arthur Strong's Radio Show!, which was voted by comedy fans as the Best Radio Sitcom 2016 in The Comedy.co.uk Awards, launched on the airwaves in 2005. So far it's run for seven series and, since 2012, regular seasonal specials.
The character - played by Steve Delaney - transferred to television in 2013 for the TV sitcom Count Arthur Strong. The format - which co-starred Rory Kinnear - ran for three series, however was dogged with an un-suitable 10:35pm timeslot for Series 2, and Series 3 was hampered by re-scheduling issues caused by the snap General Election and extended Wimbledon coverage. It was announced in August the BBC weren't going to order a fourth series.
Further details about the plot of the new Radio 4 Christmas special, and the 50th episode special for 2018, will be announced in due course.
Count Arthur Strong will next appear on stage in a pantomime alongside Christopher Biggins. Delaney will appear as his bumbling actor character in Richmond Theatre's version of Aladdin running from 9th December to the 14th January. Count Arthur has been tasked with playing 'the Count of Peking', the father of the beautiful Princess. Details
Meanwhile, it was announced today that following the success of his previous live formats, Count Arthur Strong will also tour the UK in 2018 with new show Alive & Unplugged.
The blurb explains: "Alone, solo and by himself, with no one with him, the show business Colossasus (check that) takes us back on a journey through his early career. Using the latest technology and all that (I presume we've got a projector?) he will be delving into his own personal box of video cassettes and talking us (you) through the highlights of his glittering tv career, with many of his trademark stories we've come to love him for. If you only buy one ticket for something this year make sure it's this and bring someone with you. You won't be disappointed by him (me)."
The tour - which will feature over 40 dates - begins in April in Crewe and runs through to the summer, ending in Stockport on the 23rd June. Tickets go on sale Friday. Dates
Finally, it has been announced that the Count's recent live show, The Sound Of Mucus, has been recorded for DVD and will be released later this month.
Count Arthur Strong Brings You: The Sound Of Mucus
Steve Delaney stars as the befuddled, malapropism-dropping former variety star Count Arthur Strong in this live stage performance.
First released: Monday 13th November 2017
DVD- Distributor: Komedia Entertainment
- Region: 2
- Discs: 1
- Minutes: 90
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