AMERICAN comic Rich Hall is the final big name stand-up confirmed to be appearing at Stourbridge Comedy Festival this summer.

The comedian - famed for his grouchy deadpan style and the inspiration behind Simpsons character Moe Szyslak - is to headline a show at Katie Fitzgerald’s on Saturday September 11.

In a stellar career spanning five decades, Hall has appeared on the likes of Live At The Apollo, Have I Got News For You, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, QI and 8 Out of 10 Cats as well as presenting a number of BBC documentaries.

Rich Hall

Rich Hall

He is one of a select few comics to claim the prized Perrier Award, winning it in 2000 as his alter-ego Otis Lee Crenshaw and following in the footsteps of the likes of Frank Skinner and Steve Coogan.

The festival, being put on by Black Country comedy promoters Funny Beeseness, will take place throughout August and early September at the newly revamped Katie's in Enville Street, Wollaston.

Wayne Beese, director of Funny Beeseness, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Rich Hall to Stourbridge as part of the festival.

“He has built a reputation as being one of the best live acts out there and has been at the top of his game for a long, long time.

"When he appeared in Halesowen and Whitchurch for us a couple of years ago we got the best feedback from audience members we have had for a long time. He was amazing."

Hall will be supported on the night by Britain’s Got Talent finalist Micky P Kerr and hotly-tipped Brummie sketch duo Good Kids.

Hundreds of tickets have already been snapped up for the month-long extravaganza which will include performances from Ed Byrne (Saturday August 7), Hal Cruttenden (Thursday August 12), Rhys James (Friday August 13), Shappi Khorsandi (Saturday August 14), Seann Walsh (Saturday August 21), Troy Hawke (Saturday August 28) and Paul Sinha (Saturday September 4).

Simon Evans will close the festival - topping the bill at a show on Saturday September 18.

Promoter and compere Wayne, from Dudley, said: “We’ve been blown away by the level of support for the festival, with nearly 600 tickets gone already.

"I would urge people to get in quick and book to enjoy some incredible live comedy on their doorsteps.”

To book for any of the shows, go to funnybeeseness.co.uk