Who are the most loved stand up comedians? With comedy acts our bread and butter here at the Grand, we’ve put our heads together to come up with a list of the 10 best stand-up comedy acts of this generation. 

Find out a little more about these famous faces who always bring a smile to our faces, and book your tickets to the upcoming comedy shows at Blackpool Grand Theatre today!

Lee Evans

Everybody knows Lee Evans for his extravagant, physical performances. He shocked fans by announcing his retirement from comedy on The Johnathan Ross show in 2014, to spend more time with his family. He became one of the UK’s most popular comedians before retiring, with his Roadrunner tour grossing £12.9 million. When the Roadrunner tour was announced, Evans sold 7 million pounds worth of tickets on the opening day of ticket sales. As well as running several successful comedy tours including Big, XL and Monsters, and has starred in films and TV shows including Mousetrap, There’s Something About Mary, and Doctor Who. 

Micheal McIntyre

Another UK based famous comedian to rise in the ranks throughout the 2010s is Micheal McIntyre. He soon became a household name thanks to his comedic observations of everyday life. A regular performer at Live at the Apollo, Micheal McIntrye has gone on to host his own show Micheal McIntryre’s Comedy Roadshow and McIntyre’s The Wheel. 

Alan Carr 

One of the nation’s best-loved comedians, Alan Carr has featured in 3 Edinburgh shows and has won numerous awards for his observational comedy shows. Alan Carr returns with a much-anticipated tour, four years on from his previous tour. You can book tickets now to enjoy Alan’s long-awaited performance at Blackpool Grand between 17th – 18th September 2021 with his show, ‘Regional Trinket’. You can buy tickets for Alan Carr here. 

Sir Billy Connolly

A former welder and folk-singer, Sir Billy Connolly is one of the longest standing and most instantly recognisable stand-ups performing today. Renowned for his off-the-cuff observations and profane turn of phrase, Connolly has been previously voted as the greatest ever stand-up comic, and is now also well-established as an artist!

Peter Kay 

We can’t have a list of the best stand up comedians without mentioning Peter Kay! Arguably one of the best comedians of the 21st Century, national treasure Peter Kay has had audiences doubled-up for decades. With various appearances on sketch shows including Phoenix Nights, Peter Kay broke various box office records after The Tour that Doesn’t Tour Tour sold out in an hour. It was quickly renamed Tour that Doesn’t Tour Tour… Now on Tour with a total of 112 shows.  

Julian Clary

A star of both the pantomime stage as well as comedy stage, Julian Clary has performed in various pantomimes over the years alongside starring in various TV performances. With a reputation for risque statements and suggestive demeanour, murdering beloved songs and delivering withering remarks to audience members, Julian Clary’s comedic style has seen him become a much-loved comedian in the UK for the last few decades. Don’t miss Julian Clary here at the Blackpool Grand Theatre on the 8th April, 2022. You can buy tickets to Julian Clary’s performance here.

Omid Djalili

Another comedian to emerge to great popularity in the UK in recent years is Omid Djalili. Known for his intelligent observations and often seen guest starring on panel shows such as Have I Got News for You and Would I Lie to You, Omid Djalili is also a star on the screen as well as stage. Acting credits include Gladiator, Pirates of the Caribbean and Notting Hill. Djalili currently hosts his own show on ITV, Winning Combination. You can book tickets for Omid Djalili’s comedy show here. 

Sarah Millican 

Winner of the Best Newcomer at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Sarah Millican famously appeared rather jittery at this performance. Sarah has gone on to be one of the most famous female comedians in the UK, known for her self-deprecating humour and wily observations. The Geordie comic is married to fellow comedian Gary Delaney and is a regular performer at Live at the Apollo. Sarah also regularly appears on game shows and panel shows such as Would I Lie to You, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and Mock the Week.

Katherine Ryan 

A Canadian comedian who’s based here in the UK, Katherine Ryan has appeared as both a featured and lead act on the BBC’s Live at the Apollo. She’s renowned for the contrast between her sweet personality and her irreverent “in-your-face” material. Since moving to the UK, Katherine Ryan has become a regular on chat show comedy panels, and recently hosted a jewellery show ‘All That Glitters: Britain’s Next Jewellery Star’ on BBC.

Jack Dee 

A master of sarcasm, irony, deadpan humour and former winner of Celebrity Big Brother, Jack Dee is perhaps best known for his starring role in the popular sitcom Lead Balloon. He also co-wrote the script! Jack Dee is a regular on TV panel shows such as Have I Got News for You, and is a regular host on I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, a BBC Radio comedy programme.   

Has this got you excited for a show? 

Explore more of our upcoming comedy shows here or explore our entire schedule of upcoming shows at Blackpool Grand Theatre.