Comedy superstar John Bishop is returning to the stage for an arena tour across the UK. The Liverpudlian, who in 2009 became an overnight sensation after almost a decade on the circuit, kicks off his Winging It tour in Belfast next October.

And Bishop isn't the only comedian with dates well into 2017. Here are seven other performers you can book now for next year.

Count Arthur Strong
Steve Delaney created his pompous, deluded thespian character in the 1980s. Strong was later resurrected for radio and, in recent years has resurfaced on TV (co-written by Father Ted's Graham Linehan).
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Greg Davies: You Magnificent Beast
The former We Are Klang member (and English and drama teacher prior to that) is a regular fixture on our TV screens these days. His previous solo shows have enjoyed great success, with Firing Cheeseballs at a Dog nominated for the Edinburgh Comedy Award.
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Jimmy Carr: The Best of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits Tour
Renowned for his deadpan delivery, dark humour and scathing put-downs, Cambridge graduate and former accountant Carr is a master at stripped-back comedy, with sets chock-full of gags, if you can stomach the contents.
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Lucy Porter: Consequences
Personal revelations and cultural observations from the former Perrier panellist turned comedian, playwright and panel show regular.
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Pam Ann: Fly
Alter-ego of Australian comedian Caroline Reid, cult character Pam Ann celebrates two decades of mid-air shenanigans.
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Reginald D Hunter: The Man Who Attempted to Do as Much and Such
Trained actor-turner-stand-up Hunter has been nominated for three Edinburgh Comedy Awards (including Best Newcomer in 2002). Originally from Georgia in the US, he's been settled in the UK for the past 15 years.
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Roy Chubby Brown
For those who prefer their comedy blue, there's always Brown. Born Royston Vasey (giving the League of Gentlemen the name for their hometown), the 71-year-old throat cancer survivor is a perennial tourer. You're unlikely to see him on a panel show soon.
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