The ten day comedy-based arts festival is back in the room with a cracking line-up that includes already sold-out appearances from Russell Brand, Chris Ramsey, Tailenders and Max Fosh.

But there’s still plenty for audiences to check-out, including recently announced shows from Barbara Nice (3rd October, Irish Centre); Rob Kemp (1st October, MAC), who is fresh from a successful run at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe; Britain’s Got Talent Finalist Danny Posthill (7th October, Hennessey’s Bar); Birmingham Footnotes (5th Octobere, University of Birmingham); and magician/comedian Damon Conlan (9th October, The Crescent Theatre), while camp smash The Rocky Horror Show runs from 27th September to 2nd October (The Alexandra).

Other highlights include Fin Taylor (3rd October, The Glee Club), Rachel Fairburn (8th October, The Glee Club), the acclaimed Eric Ruston (2nd October, 1000 Trades), and British As Folk’s Darren Harriott (1st-2nd October, The Glee Club).

The festival concludes on Sunday 10th October with the return of the Birmingham Comedy Festival Free Half-Dayer. Featuring eight free shows the afternoon event (1pm-6pm) runs across two nearly adjacent city centre venues, Cherry Reds and The Victoria, in John Bright Street. Acts appearing include Danny Clives (whose artwork was featured on C4’s The Last Leg), podcast Tea With The Devil, Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent winners Josh Pugh (BBC Sounds) and Celya AB, and concludes with James Cook’s cult Edinburgh Fringe show, Board Game Smackdown.

A spokesperson for the festival said: “The response to the fest’ this year has been amazing. Given the number of shows that have sold out in advance, or are close to selling out now, it’s clear there continues to be a real appetite for live comedy in the city – regardless of whatever else is going on in the world. It’s also clear that the city’s comedy scene is as strong and vibrant as ever.

“Earlier in the year, we wondered if a 2021 ‘live’ festival would be possible, so we’re so pleased to be back, especially as it’s our twentieth anniversary.”

Reflecting on the landmark, the spokesperson added: “Twenty years is a significant feat, and it’s so nice to welcome back a number of acts who took part in that very first 2001 festival, such as Barbara Nice, Jo Enright, Andy Robinson, James Cook and John Simmit.”