Paddy McGuinness has announced a series of intimate warm-up dates in Darwen and Bury ahead of his first solo stand-up tour in eight years.

The Bolton born comedian and TV presenter will be taking his Nearly There tour to more than 40 venues across the UK starting at King George's Hall in Blackburn on Thursday, October 24.

But before then he will be trying out material for the tour with five nights at Darwen Library Theatre and three at Bury Met.

Tickets for the Work in Progress shows go on sale at 10am on Friday.

Paddy, who first came to fame through Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy has become one of the country's most popular figures, presenting shows including Take Me Out and Top Gear.

On his return to stand-up, Paddy said: "It’s been eight years since my last tour and there’s lots of things to laugh about! I’m looking forward to getting back in front of a live audience, along with running the gauntlet of cancel culture, click bait and fake news!"

The Nearly There warm up shows will be at Darwen Library Theatre on Wednesday, September 11, Friday, September 13, Thursday, September 19, Saturday, September 28, Wednesday, October 2 and Wednesday, October 16. He will be at Bury Met on Thursday, September 12, Friday, September 20 and Wednesday, October 9.