Chris Ramsey takes over from Russell Howard on Stand Up Central
- Comedy Central has ordered a third series of its TV stand-up show, Stand Up Central
- Chris Ramsey is taking over from Russell Howard as host for the new eight-part series
- Ramsey says: "I'm over the moon to be given the role as host of Stand Up Central"
Comedy Central has announced that it has re-commissioned its TV stand-up showcase format, Stand Up Central, for a third series.
However, Chris Ramsey will be taking over from Russell Howard as host.
Eight new thirty minute episodes are due to be filmed from June 2017 at the Electric Ballroom in Camden and will follow the same format of the previous shows. Each episode will involve the host welcoming two guests on stage to perform in front of a live audience.
The two previous series of Stand Up Central delivered strong ratings for the channel. First launching in 2015, the network says the format has reached 3.1 million individuals and has almost doubled the average audience for its transmission slot.
Ramsey will already be familiar to Comedy Central viewers, having hosted The Chris Ramsey Show on the station. Russell Howard, who is busy touring his live show between now and August, will continue to work with the network. The channel has given the go ahead to film a second series of Russell Howard & Mum: USA Road Trip.
Louise Holmes from Comedy Central says: "Chris is one of the UK's finest comedic stars and already a well-loved face on Comedy Central. We're excited that with Chris and his unique brand of Geordie likeability at the helm, the upcoming series will continue to delight our comedy fans whilst also attracting new viewers to the channel."
Chris Ramsey himself says: "I'm over the moon to be given the role as host of Stand Up Central. I do a lot of things on TV but stand-up is, and always will be, my main passion, so the chance to get to do more of it on TV and also bring other great comedians to the attention of the public is one I could not have missed."
The new series of Stand Up Central will be shown on Comedy Central this autumn.
Ramsey appeared as a guest on the last series of Stand Up Central. Here is his set: