Headliner
James Ellis
The Comedy Cellar
Friday, 23 October 2026
The Line-Up
HeadlinerHeadliner
James Ellis
Award-winning comedian James Ellis is a rising star in the UK comedy scene. His sharp observational humour and clever punchlines have won him rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. Winner of Best Debut Show at the 2026 Leicester Comedy Festival, James Ellis is an award-winning comedian and rising star in the UK comedy scene. As heard on BBC Radio 4’s Live from the UK and seen on BBC One in the BBC New Comedy Award, his sharp observational humour and clever punchlines have won him rave reviews from critics and audiences alike. James’ comedy is rooted in everyday life, and he has a knack for finding the funny in the mundane. A gifted writer, his jokes are well-crafted and delivered with precision. Since being named South Coast Comedian of the Year and reaching the regional finals of the BBC New Comedy Award in 2021, James has gone on to build a strong reputation on the UK circuit. He is currently on tour supporting Angela Barnes on her “Angst” tour. Ellis is a “talented comedy craftsman” (Steve Bennett, Chortle) with a bright future ahead of him. If you’re looking for a good laugh on a night out, be sure to catch James live! “A talented comedy craftsman” Steve Bennett, Chortle "James Ellis is a triple threat, he’s really very bloody funny, has a great stage presence and has the best hair in the business" Angela Barnes "A frightening amount of brilliant punchlines, delivered by a genuinely funny guy. I was laughing the whole time James was on and so was everyone else. Top stuff" Paul McCaffrey “Wonderful, wonderful jokes. James has a relaxed confidence, his set is well themed and thought out and most important of all: the gags are just funny. Really funny.” Laura Lexx
Cellar Debut!Middle Act
Kyle Brownrigg
Canadian stand-up and Juno Award winner for Comedy Album of the Year (2024). A sharp, self-deprecating LGBTQ voice from Toronto.
Opening Act
Fiona Allen
Star of Channel 4's iconic all-female sketch show Smack the Pony. Twice Emmy-winning actor and comedian Fiona Allen has been a mainstay of our TV screens over the past two decades as well as an excellent stand-up comedian. She has starred in various sketch shows, including Goodness Gracious Me and The All Star Comedy Show, but most famously Smack the Pony. Fiona has also appeared in television dramas such as Dalziel and Pascoe, Coronation Street, in Happiness alongside Paul Whitehouse, and on film as Sandra in the film version of the famous Viz comic strip Fat Slags, and Smirgut the Fierce in Gladiatress. Most recently she has been in that little-known soap Eastenders. Fiona won a whole new generation of fans in the second series of the hit E4 teenage drama Skins, playing Maxxie’s mum, Jackie Oliver (her on-screen hubby was Bill Bailey). She has also played the role of Georgia Stevenson in the BBC drama Waterloo Road, while often appearing as herself on comedy shows like Mock the Week and 8 Out Of 10 Cats.
MCMC
Ryan Gough
Comedy Cellar favourite Ryan Gough is a regular host of comedy nights across the UK from Penzance to Inverness! He has also performed in Ireland, Channel Islands, Spain and India! Standing at 6 foot 5 and weighing 22 stone, Ryan is a big stage presence and takes no prisoners! ‘A powerful stage presence’ - Chortle "Friendly, affable....and funny!" - Birmingham Mail Please note: James Redmond was originally billed as tonight's MC but is unwell.
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