This year’s ten-day festival features headline appearances from Romesh Ranganathan, the entrancing silent Boy With Tape On His Face and Kerry Godliman, co-star of Ricky Gervais’ Derek .

The festival also welcomes Irishman Jason Byrne, topical stand-up Matt Forde, Nathan Caton, Justin Moorhouse and Tony Law.

Other highlights include Richard O’Brien’s record-breaking rock’n’roll musical Rocky Horror Show, a new live panel show, Panelbeaters, co-created by Mock The Week’s Gary Delaney and Paul Richards’ 50 Ways To Leave Your Drummer, in which the musician/ comedian recounts being fired from 50 acts, including Frank Turner and Heaven 17 (.

The festival officially kicks off with the third Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award on 7th October at The Glee, and boasts two Free Half-Dayers in the city centre. Taking place at Cherry Reds and The Victoria, on John Bright Street, the successive Sunday afternoons see more than 18 acts perform new shows, among them Josh Pugh, improv’ troupe Foghorn Unscripted, world-ranked board gamer James Cook, podcasters News With Jokes, Karen Bayley, Hannah Silvester, Lovdev Barpag Lindsey and Danny, and Gareth Berliner.

A spokesperson for the festival, which debuted in 2001, said: “We’re very pleased to be marking our 15th year with such an excellent and varied line-up that mixes seasoned and familiar TV names, with emerging acts and some top newcomers.

“There’s over 70 performances across the city, with our two Sunday afternoon Half-Dayers giving audiences the opportunity to catch some really great acts for free.”