Andrew Dipper

Matt Richardson heads to Barnard Castle for only North East tour date

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Pictured: Matt Richardson at Funny Way To Be’s comedy gala in September. (Image: Tom Stanier)

Matt Richardson will visit Barnard Castle for the only North East date of his debut stand-up tour.

Teesdale comedy promoters Funny Way To Be have announced that the host of ITV2’s Xtra Factor will come to The Witham on Saturday 22 March as one of 36 new dates added to his new tour, Hometown Hero.

Matt last appeared in Barnard Castle as the host of Funny Way To Be’s hit comedy gala in September.

And Peter Dixon, of Funny Way To Be, said he was delighted that Richardson has agreed to return to Teesdale later this month.

He said: “We are thrilled to have been chosen as Matt’s only North East date.

“I first met Matt at a small venue in 2012, and it was clear then that he had masses of stage presence and a great future ahead of him.

“When he played for us in 2013 he told me he’d love to come back to Barnard Castle as part of his extended tour.

“Anyone who saw our gala evening, which he hosted, will know that he is a real stand up comedy star in the making.”

Richardson started doing stand-up in November 2009 when he was just 18 years old.

The Oxford-born comedian started gigging regularly in February 2010, and, after performing non-stop for 18 months, he quit university – and his job in a lettings office – to become a professional stand-up at 20.

In 2012 he supported both Mark Watson and Andi Osho on their UK tours before winning the ‘Best New Show’ award at Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival.

And Richardson’s meteoric rise to fame continued in 2013 after being announced as the new co-host of The Xtra Factor.

Since recording 32 episodes of The Xtra Factor last year, Richardson has made notable appearances on panel shows including Sweat The Small Stuff, Celebrity Juice and Nevermind The Buzzcocks.

His debut UK tour was twice-extended earlier this year to include new dates across the UK, including Richardson’s return to Barnard Castle.

Tickets for Matt Richardson: Hometown Hero are on general sale now from funnywaytobe.com, priced £10.