Award winning comedian Rob Brydon will take to the stage with an eight-piece band when he starts his next tour in Colchester.

This is the first time Brydon, of Gavin and Stacey fame, has created a show which includes songs and music as well as his acclaimed comedy.

Rob Brydon - Songs and Stories will start a 26 venue tour at Charter Hall on February 26.

Tickets for the show go on sale today, Wednesday October 23.

With songs from Sondheim to Rodgers and Hammerstein, from Paul Simon to Tom Waits and almost everything in between, audiences can expect Brydon’s usual warmth and humour as well as some of his famed gallery of voices.

Brydon admits his latest show is what some might perceive as a change of tack.

He said: "It will take some people by surprise. There are so many media outlets nowadays that some people might only know me from Gavin and Stacey or Would I Lie To You?.

"Those people often say to me, 'I didn't know you could sing', and yet I have sung a lot. I hope this show is a very pleasant surprise for audiences."

In 2009 alongside Ruth Jones, Robin Gibb and Sir Tom Jones, Brydon reached number one in the UK charts with the single Islands in The Stream, in aid of Comic Relief.

Theresa Higgins, Colchester Council's commercial services boss said it was a pleasure to welcome Brydon to the town next year.

She said: "I am delighted that Colchester Events Company continues to bring some really top-notch acts to Charter Hall.

"Colchester is really making a name for itself as a go-to venue for exceptional touring shows – long may it continue.

"What a pleasure to welcome Rob Brydon to Colchester in 2020."

To buy tickets visit www.robbrydon.live.