Hosts Jack Campbell, Matt Holmes and Joe Ross-Williams present exciting emerging and established comedy talent every evening throughout the festival at Duffy’s Bar.

FRIDAY
Dan Wallbank, Robert Kemp, Rueben Williams-Smith, Daniel Nicholas and Midlands Comedian of the Year Finalist 2011 Ben Briggs.

SATURDAY
Jay Quinn, Nick Elleray, Sean McHugh, Matt Watts, Lena Stranks, Lea Rose Emery and a headline set from circuit favourite Rob Coleman.

SUNDAY
Farrell Mackenzie, Martin England, Jo Ogden, BBC3′s Ruth Bruce, Tickled Pig finalist Callum Scott, and a special appearance from Leicester Mercury Comedian of the Year 2004 Matt Hollins.

An absurdist and chaotic sampler of the sketch show like no other, featuring the talents of Leanne McKie, Barnaby J Thompson, Ian Hall and Lindsey Warnes-Carroll.

This show is an insane mix of bizarre characters, stupid dancing, warped celebrities and apocalyptic rave, quite unlike anything else you’re likely to see’ Leicester Comedy Scene

Nominee : Best Show - Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival 2013

The fantasmagorical fabulist returns to the Firebug! Comic artist and comedy cult hero Richard Peel brings another round of arcane fables in his own imitable style.

‘Someone I would happily recommend anyone to see’ Leicester Mercury

Featuring a special guest appearance from scientist and philosopher Professor Steen Stornstein

A sell-out show in March, Deadbeat and deadpan comedian Dan Nicholas is joined by his housemates Jack and Lewys to discuss you, the audience. Sketches, stand-up, quizzes and games all promise to be washed down with wine, even in the afternoon.

Robin Ince started his comedy career as a writer, working on shows including Alistair McGowan’s Big Impresison, V Graham, Norton and Meet Ricky Gervais, his first of many collaborations with the Extras star.

Ince appeared with Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Jimmy Carr in the 2001 Edinburgh show Rubbernecker, and regularly supported Gervais on tour. He also appeared in one episode of The Office, playing interviewee Stewart Foot.

That role inspired his tongue-in-cheek solo Edinburgh debut in 2004, and he has returned to the Fringe every year since. In 2005 he started erudite comedy night The Book Club, loosely based around bad literature, which won him the innovation award at the 2006 Chortle Awards as well as the outstanding contribution to comedy accolade at that year’s Time Out awards. In 2007, he was named best compere at the Chortle Awards.

On TV, he has appeared as John Peel on Channel 4′s 11 O’Clock Show as well as countless panel games and ‘talking heads’ shows, including Channel 4′s 100 Greatest Musicals (2003), BBC Three’s The State We’re In (2003), Celebdaq (2004), BBC Two’s Mock The Week (2006). He has also appeared on Radio 4′s Now Show, Just A Minute and Mitch Benn’s Crimes Against Music.

In 2006, he co-wrote his first feature film, Razzle Dazzle, about children’s dance contests in Australia.

Alongside Professor Brian Cox, He presents Radio 4′s ‘The Infinite Monkey Cage’.

Rob Deering is an English stand-up comedian, guitarist and writer. Deering was the host and writer of three series of Out to Lunch on BBC Radio 2. He also hosted 99 Things to Do Before You Die on Channel 5.

James Acaster began performing standup comedy in January 2008, since then he has developed into a hugely engaging and exciting comedian, performing all over the country and firmly establishing himself as one of the most hotly-tipped young comedians in Britain.

His set often features storytelling, dazzling audience interaction and routines about not being particularly cool. He is from the town of Kettering but is based in London. They are both cool in their own way

James previously played drums in local bands in Northamptonshire including Pindrop, Three Line Whip, and The Wow! Scenario.

In 2009 James performed in a sell out show at the Edinburgh festival fringe with fellow comedians Josh Widdicombe and Nick Helm.

In June 2010 James won Off The Kerb’s Laughing Boy New Act of the year in and then came 3rd in the Latitude New Act Competition the following month where he performed to over 4,000 people. In autumn 2010 he finished a national tour supporting Josie Long, playing to rooms ranging in capacity from 40 to 400, including a show in Paris. In the Spring and Summer of 2011 James supported Milton Jones on his national tour, playing to over 100,000 people across the UK.

James took his first full solo show “Amongst Other Things” to the Edinburgh this August and received a plethora of brilliant reviews.

In August 2010 James performed as part of BBC’s ‘Stand Up in the Street’ during the Edinburgh festival. He has appeared on Australian TV show ‘Australia Versus’ and was one of the Co Hosts of ‘My First Gig’ on Resonance FM. James has appeared on Russell Howards Good News (BBC Three), Dave’s One Night Stand and Chris Addison’s Show and Tell (E4).