COMEDIAN Michael McIntyre had such a welcome from Swindon audiences for his warm-up gig last year that he has decided to come back.

He will be judging the Swindon crowd’s reaction to some new gags before his arena tour next year.

Tickets to the show at Swindon’s Arts Centre on Monday, September 1, were snapped up online within two minutes of going on sale.

Last year there were queues stretching outside the theatre along Devizes Road from fans trying to get tickets, and those fortunate enough to see his Work In Progress show were treated to some of his best gags, as well as a few of his new ones. He was trying out the material for the biggest comedy gig in Africa, when he performed before a crowd of 9,000, in the Coca-Cola Dome in Johannesburg.

The Arts Centre team is looking forward to Michael’s new Work In Progress next month. He will be showcasing some of his new work in readiness for his Happy and Glorious Arena Tour.

Richard Loftus, marketing manager at the Arts Centre, said: “We are thrilled that Michael is coming back to the Arts Centre. It is a real coup for Swindon to have a star of his calibre wanting to try out his new material in front of a Swindon audience.’’ The comedian’s 2015 tour will be in the UK and Ireland at venues such as the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff, Capital FM Arena in Nottingham, and the O2 Arena in London. He will be supported by Paul Tonkinson.

The comedian currently hosts his own BBC One chat show The Michael McIntyre Chat Show. In 2011 he joined the panel of judges on Britain’s Got Talent, alongside David Hasselhoff and Amanda Holden, but went back to stand-up the following year.

He became a household name through TV shows such as Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, 8 out of 10 Cats, Have I Got News For You and his own Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow.

For details about other shows at the Old Town theatre call 01793 524481.