COMEDY returns to Brierley Hill Civic Hall this weekend as part of the Black Country Festival with the launch of ‘Live At The Civic’.

The inaugural show of entertainment and stand-up will take place on Saturday (July 16) featuring a triple headline bill featuring one of the most popular comics of the 21st century.

Doc Brown, known to comedy fans for his stints on Live At The Apollo, the current series of hilarious Dave panel show Taskmaster and The John Bishop Show, will appear on the Black Country stage alongside fellow stand-up Paul Tonkinson.

Joining the comics in Brierley Hill will be local legends The Fizzogs, who have amassed more than 118 million Youtube hits for their famous Dancing Grannies sketch.

Doc Brown’s appearance in Brierley Hill is one of only three stand-up gigs he is performing this year – so fans are urged to catch him while they can.

He said: “I think I’m only doing three gigs this year and I’m really looking forward to it.

“The Midlands has long been one of my favourite places to go.”

The rapper-turned-comic’s star is very much in the ascendancy – his face will soon be all over the big screen when he stars alongside Ricky Gervais in the eagerly-awaited David Brent movie Life On The Road.

In that, Brown will reprise his role in the Comic Relief specials the pair recorded together as a young rapper going on the road with ageing wannabe rocker Brent.

Nearly 500 tickets have already been sold for the Brierley Hill gig – not that it will faze former Big Breakfast host Tonkinson, who supported Michael McIntyre on his record-breaking 50-date Happy and Glorious arena tour last year.

Although he may be a self-proclaimed ‘professional Northerner’ living in London – but it's in the Midlands where Tonkinson really feels home.

“It's always been one of my favourite places to gig,” he said. “I just seem to get on there, the crowd always seem really relaxed.

“They don't take themselves too seriously, which I like, because I don't take myself too seriously either!”

For Doc Brown’s interview in full click here, or to read more from Paul Tonkinson click here.

The Civic Hall night, which sees doors opening at 7.30pm, is part of the Black Country Festival running throughout July and will be hosted by Dudley’s Wayne Beese.

For more information, or to book tickets costing £18.50, visit www.bhillcivic.co.uk/whats-on/comedy, or call the box office on 0870 320 7000.