Mick Ferry

Brand new comedy festival in Middlesbrough in July

The bill features a line up of some instantly recognisable names so far, with more expected to be revealed shortly.

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Clubs struggling, established acts complaining about rates of pay and overdue payments. Then earlier this week Mick Ferry cancelled a gig at the Nottingham Comedy Festival and was brutally honest about the reason on Facebook: "I could lie and say its ill health. Truth is, no fecker has bought a ticket."

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An interview with Mick Ferry

Mick Ferry is a comedian and ex-upholsterer not from the West Country (Lancashire) who has steadily and justifiably been accumulating a large base of fans for his down-to-earth surrealism.

There were more than 750 comedy shows on at the Edinburgh Fringe this year. Even if you think you've heard quite enough already on Radio 4 and read too much about them everywhere you have to admire the steely determination of Jason Manford (of Eight Out of Ten Cats) and his producer, Julia Mackenzie, in boiling the lot down to two half-hours. This is the first, featuring Kevin Bridges, Mick Ferry, Sarah Millican and Mike Wilmot, all of whom may have their own shows this time next year. You never know, they might even make you laugh.

For fans who admire the high-wire bravura of stand-up comedy, once again Michael McIntyre introduces an impressive mix of comedians. The line-up includes John Bishop explaining the difficulties of getting rid of a fridge; Sarah Millican on the joys of divorce; Mick Ferry on an unhealthy desire to sleep with all his daughters' friends, and - last but by no means least - the headline act from Jason Manford, who does an inspired riff on his father's terrifying parenting technique. This involved telephoning the Chief Constable of the Greater Manchester Police who would threaten his son with prison. At the age of 7 or 8, Manford was too terrified to realise that the Chief Constable's voice bore an uncanny resemblance to that of his grandfather.

Laughs aplenty as Michael McIntyre and his pals continue their tour around Britain. Dig below the surface of tonight's leg of this stand-up tour - which sees host Michael introduce headliner Jason Manford off 8 Out of 10 Cats at the Manchester Apollo - and you'll find a brilliant pair of comedians rarely seen on TV. Indeed, the routines from John Bishop and Mick Ferry should get you giggling...