Start the New Year with a smile on your face by bagging tickets to a rib-tickling comedy show.

From Taskmaster winners to stand-up sensations and joke-pedaling veterans, we’ve got 15 comedians coming to Kent next year that you simply won’t want to miss…

CHRIS MCCAUSLAND: The reigning Strictly champ is making the most of his recent success on the dancefloor with a huge UK tour. Chris won the hearts of the nation on the BBC One dance competition, but you might also recognise him from shows such as Would I Lie to You and the Last Leg.

Details: Thursday, April 17 at Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone and Friday, June 6 at The Woodville in Gravesend. Book online here.

ANDY ZALTZMAN: As the most recent winner of Taskmaster, Andy Zaltzman has proved he is just as funny in front of the camera as he is behind the mic. The podcaster, who hosts the long-running show The Bugle and BBC Radio 4’s the News Quiz, is back with more satirical observations and quick wit in his latest show, The Zaltgeist.

Details: Wednesday, April 2 at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury and Thursday, April 3 at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. Book online here.

DARA Ó BRIAIN: After hosting panel show Mock the Week for 16 years, Dara Ó Briain is ditching his studio chair and returning to the stage. The Irish funnyman will be taking his new show, Re:Creation, to theatres all over the county.

Details: Thursday, May 22 and Friday, May 23 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. Book online here.

HARRY HILL: TV Burp host Harry Hill is celebrating 60 years of fun with his tour, New Bits and Greatest Hits. The comedian, who lives in Whitstable, will be diving into his back catalogue of old favourites as well as sharing some new material.

Details: Sunday, March 23 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and Thursday, April 24 at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells. Book online here.

JAMALI MADDIX: Never Mind the Buzzcocks regular Jamali Maddix has taken his stand-up all over the world. From appearing on the Late Late Show with James Corden to selling out dates in Europe and Australia, the comedian has some great experience under his belt for his most recent show, Aston.

Details: Wednesday, March 12 at the Quarterhouse in Folkestone and Wednesday, April 16 at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury. Book online here.

JASON MANFORD: Somewhere between hosting his Absolute Radio show and his musical theatre appearances, Jason Manford has found time to squeeze in a tour. The Manchester-born comic will be bringing his show, A Manford All Seasons, to five Kent venues.

Details: Wednesday, February 5 and Wednesday, July 9 at the Central Theatre in Chatham; Wednesday, February 26 at Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone; Friday, April 11 at the Granville Theatre in Ramsgate; Wednesday, May 14 at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells; and Thursday, Jul 10 at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley. Book online here.

JOSH WIDDICOMBE: After years of waiting, fans of the Last Leg co-host Josh Widdicombe can finally catch him on tour as he returns to the world of stand-up. The new show, Not My Cup of Tea, will see the Parenting Hell podcaster share his musings on everyday life, from PG Tips to Pizza Express.

Details: Sunday, September 14 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury and Sunday, October 5 at the Orchard Theatre. Book online here.

KERRY GODLIMAN: Kent residents might recognise actor Kerry Godliman from the Whitstable Pearl TV series, filmed in the seaside town. If not, you might know her from starring in After Life and Derek alongside Ricky Gervais, winning the seventh series of Taskmaster or appearing in crime series Trigger Point. Her new show, Bandwidth, kicks off its UK tour in the spring.

Details: Sunday, May 4 at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury. Book online here.

LOU SANDERS: After spending her childhood in Broadstairs, comedy writer Lou Sanders is returning to the Kent coast as part of her tour, No Kissing in the Bingo Hall. The Taskmaster champ and Dancing on Ice contestant has been on the rise since winning Best Show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2018.

Details: Thursday, February 20 at the Quarterhouse in Folkestone. Book online here.

MAISIE ADAM: Host of award-winning football podcast Big Kick Energy, Maisie Adam, is seeking some feedback with her new stand-up tour, Appraisal. Her five-year comedy career has seen Maisie appear on shows such as Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You and A League of Their Own.

Details: Wednesday, February 12 at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone; Friday, February 14 at the Trinity Theatre in Tunbridge Wells; and Saturday, February 15 at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury. Book online here.

NICK MOHAMMED: He became a familiar face after starring in Apple TV’s Ted Lasso but, before that, Nick Mohammed made a name for himself on the comedy circuit as his alter-ego, Mr Swallow. The hapless magician will be causing mayhem in his new tour, Show Pony.

Details: Sunday, June 1 at the Marlowe Theatre in Canterbury. Book online here.

PAUL CHOWDHRY: He broke records as the first British Asian stand-up comic to sell-out Wembley Arena and has appeared on just about every comedy show you can think of, from Live at the Apollo to Taskmaster. If you don’t get a chance to catch Paul Chowdhry’s Englandia show in Kent, he’s also at the 20,000-seater O2 Arena the following night.

Details: Wednesday, April 2 at the Central Theatre in Chatham. Book online here.

SARA PASCOE: As a self-proclaimed middle-aged mum, Sara Pascoe is trying to work out who she is in between episodes of Peppa Pig and cleaning the kitchen. Her new show, I Am a Strange Gloop, is the comedian’s chance to share her thoughts with other adults and hopefully discover that we’re all in the same boat.

Details: Thursday, October 23 at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells and Sunday, November 30 at Leas Cliff Hall in Folkestone. Book online here.

SARAH KEYWORTH: Chortle Award winner Sarah Keyworth has been through a lot over the past couple of years. They turned 30, got diagnosed with ADHD and underwent surgery to remove their breasts. But, like all good comedians, Sarah has turned their most life-changing moments into a hilarious new stand-up routine in My Eyes Are Up Here.

Details: Sunday, March 2 at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury. Book online here.

SUZI RUFFELL: She’s known for co-hosting podcasts with fellow comedians Tom Allen and Maisie Adam but, for her new show The Juggle, Suzi Ruffell will be going it alone. The stand-up tour is all about trying to balance being a mum, wife, daughter, author, podcaster, comedian, radio broadcaster and all-round functioning human being.

Details: Saturday, September 20 at the Gulbenkian Arts Centre in Canterbury. Book online.