With an affability and style of humour entirely his own, Alan Davies is surely one of the UK's most loved comedians.

Now, after more than a decade since his last UK stand-up tour, Davies has announced he will be making a long-awaited return to the comedic stage with his new show Life is Pain.

Hitting the road this autumn following a season at the Edinburgh Fringe, the tour includes a date at the Palace Theatre in Newark this October.

A much loved face on the iconic television show QI, which has now been making people laugh for nine years, Davies has enjoyed a long and varied career, peppered with nominations and awards for comedy and acting.

He began his career in stand-up comedy in 1988 and had been named as Time Out's Best Young Comic by 1991. In 1994, he won an Edinburgh Festival Critics Award for Comedy and a Perrier Award nomination.

Two years later, Davies took what is arguably his most famous role, as the title character in the brilliantly quirky Jonathan Creek. The show ran for 14 years and has been seen by audiences worldwide.

Penguin published his first book in 2009, and he has since starred in a documentary, a sitcom, and a short film which he also co-wrote.

Davies is due to perform at the Palace Theatre, Newark on Friday, October 12. Call the box office on 01636 655755 for more details.