Manford Comedy Clubs, run by Jason Manford and his brother Colin, is to stage an all-star comedy festival in Blackpool in 2019.

In association with Absolute Radio, the Blackpool Comedy Festival will take place from Friday 10 May – Sunday 12 May 2019 and will feature a wide variety of top comedy acts as well as the Grand Final of a new comedy award which will feature heats across the UK. 

The final of Manford's New Act of the Year will be held on Sunday 12th May at Blackpool Winter Garden. Jason Manford will be the host for the evening. The winner will receive a £1000 prize, progression spots with Manford’s Comedy clubs, an award and an invitation to appear as a guest on Jason Manford’s Absolute Radio show. Enter from December 10 here.

Jason Manford & Friends will open the festival on Friday 10 May. The show, compered by Jason, will feature Britain’s Got Talent's Daliso Chaponda, lo-fi whimsy Irishman David O’Doherty, Jo Caulfield and 8 Out of 10 Cats star Sean Lock.

Saturday 11 May will see John Bishop & Friends at the Blackpool Opera House. Hosted by superstar Bishop, the show will feature stand-up legend Mick Miller, Mock the Week’s Milton Jones and Angela Barnes.

Further announcements will be made in the coming weeks as more events are confirmed at the Winter Gardens Blackpool.

Michael Williams from Winter Gardens said: "Manford’s Blackpool Comedy Festival is an exciting new addition to our 2019 programme featuring some of the best live acts in the UK. An annual comedy festival adds to the fantastic and diverse range of events already taking place in early season to attract visitors from right across the UK and beyond.’ ‘The partnership with Manford’s Comedy Club and Absolute Radio, brings together a perfect team to deliver a top line up of acts with the view to grow the event year on year."

Buy tickets here.