Comedy royalty Ardal O’Hanlon is heading back out on the road with his new UK tour, Not Himself
Kicking off in September 2025, he will be at Southport Comedy Festival on Thursday 9th October 2025.
Tickets are on sale now via the Southport Comedy Festival website here.
Taking the audience on a thought-provoking journey following an alarming experience at the supermarket, Ardal examines his identity as a man and a comedian, reflecting on everything from his own ethnic and religious background to the joys and follies of contemporary life. Not Himself is a testament to the healing power of humour, touched with life enhancing observations and unexpected twists
With no major trauma of his own to draw on for material, apart from the drag of getting older, this hilarious and touching show sees Ardal turn his gaze outwards at the joys and follies of contemporary life, with no current idiocy left unexamined.
Towel Animals? A.I.? Chair Yoga? Cauliflower as a main course? Yes. Yes. Yes. And Yes. Join Ardal as he navigates the ridiculousness of our times, reminding us all to find laughter amidst life’s chaos.
Ardal O’Hanlon said:
“The itch is back! I can’t put it off any longer. The joy and excitement of live touring. The venting opportunities. Please do come along if you’re free to my most personal show yet.”
Star of C4’s Father Ted and BBC’s Death in Paradise and guest in Derry Girls, Ardal O’Hanlon is one of the best-loved stand-up comedians in the world. A founding father of Dublin’s contemporary comedy scene, he moved to London where he quickly won the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year and was soon catapulted into the world of sitcoms. However, despite that distraction, he continues to tour his punchy but absurdist life-enhancing comedy worldwide.
As well as appearing at the major festivals – Montreal, Edinburgh, Melbourne – he presented The Stand Up Show on BBC for three series. He featured on the first ever series of Live At The Apollo, and the latest, and Michael Mcintyre’s Roadshow not to mention his own Dave’s One Night Stand and a half-hour special for Comedy Central USA, the first overseas act to do so. He has also appeared on the likes of The Graham Norton Show but tries to preserve his dignity by avoiding panel shows and reality shows. That said he has recently turned up on Would I Lie To You? and Taskmaster.
As well as Father Ted, for which he won a British Comedy Award and Bafta nominations, Ardal’s acting credits include leading roles in Death in Paradise (BBC), My Hero (BBC), Derry Girls (C4), Big Bad World (ITV), Blessed (BBC) and the RTE sitcom Val Falvey Td. He was also seen in After Hours (SKY) and briefly in Cucumber (C4). On top of that he once played a cat creature in Dr Who (BBC), a Dad in London Irish (C4) and a seedy teacher in Skins (C4).
Ardal has written and presented a number of documentaries including the celebrated LEAGUES APART (about great footballing rivalries in Europe), Guess Who’s Dead, and Holy F*** all for RTE, Tree of the Year (C4), Showbands (BBC) and Ireland with Ardal O’Hanlon (More 4).
His forays into theatre include God Of Carnage (Gate Theatre) and The Weir (West End) for which he received a nomination for an Olivier Award.
He has written an acclaimed bestselling novel, The Talk Of The Town, which was included in 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die and in 2022 released his second novel, Brouhaha.
Praise for Ardal O’Hanlon:
“Furiously funny stuff” – Metro
“He flutters through a variety of topics with a poet’s eye for inconsequential detail” – The Telegraph
“Highly entertaining and frequently brilliant” – Irish Independent
“Watch him turn innocence into a deadly comic weapon” The Sunday Times
“He is a complete joy to watch, planting the sort of silly images that bump around in your head forever.” The Guardian
Ardal is among names to be announced for next year’s 17 day festival which takes place from Friday 3rd to Sunday 19th October.
Star of TV Chris McCausland will be appearing at the festival on Sunday 5th October 2025 while Omid Djalili will take to the stage on Sunday 12th October 2025.
The 14th annual Southport Comedy Festival will be staged for a fifth year in a giant luxury heated and seated marquee courtesy of Elite Marquees in the beautiful grounds of Victoria Park, home of the world-renowned Southport Flower Show.
Thousands of comedy goers came along over the last four years to enjoy the festival in a marquee and the feedback has been so good that it is all happening again.
The festival has more big names to announce over the next few months so keep an eye on the festival website or join the mailing list https://southportcomedyfestival.com/mailing-list to find out first who will be making Southport Smile next October.
Show details
Show: Ardal O’Hanlon
Show Title: Not Himself
Date: Thursday 9th October 2025
Venue: Southport Comedy Festival Under Canvas at Victoria Park in Southport, Esplanade, Southport, PR8 1RX
Tickets: Southport Comedy Festival website.
Ticket Price: £ 26 +BF
Doors: 7pm
Show: 8pm
Age restriction: 16+
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