Organisers of the Southport Comedy Festival, in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport, have announced another major name for this year’s 17-day event at Victoria Park.
BAFTA-winning author, TV writer, comedian and former junior doctor Adam Kay will bring his critically acclaimed live show This Is Going To Hurt to the 15th annual festival on Sunday, 11th October 2026.
Tickets have gone on sale on the Southport Comedy Festival website.
Based on his multi-million-selling book and award-winning TV adaptation, the show promises an evening of electrifying stand-up, as Kay shares his uniquely hilarious diaries from life as a junior doctor.
This Is Going to Hurt spent over a year at number one on the Sunday Times bestseller list, has been translated into 38 languages, and has sold more than three million copies.
A Career of Critical Acclaim
The live show itself has already sold over 350,000 tickets, reflecting the massive popularity of Kay’s storytelling.
His television writing accolades include a BAFTA, a Writers’ Guild Award and a Broadcast Award for his BBC/AMC adaptation of This Is Going to Hurt.
Beyond his work for adults, Kay is also one of the UK’s bestselling children’s authors.
His titles include Kay’s Anatomy, which became the fastest-selling children’s non-fiction book of the decade, with his works for younger readers translated into 32 languages and selling over one million copies.
Adam Kay is the tenth show to be revealed for the 2026 programme, joining an already stellar line-up.
This list includes Jason Manford, Jason Byrne, Henning Wehn, Gary Delaney, Mike Wozniak, Scott Bennett, Laura Smyth, Seann Walsh, Paul Merton and Suki Webster, with further shows still to be announced in the coming months.
Returning to Victoria Park
The 15th annual Southport Comedy Festival runs from 2nd–18th October 2026.
The event returns for the sixth consecutive year to its luxury, fully seated and heated Elite Events marquee in the scenic surroundings of Victoria Park, which is well-known as the home of the world-famous Southport Flower Show.
This venue provides a comfortable and atmospheric setting for the 17-day celebration of comedy.
The festival continues to attract some of the biggest names in the industry to the region, and the addition of Adam Kay further strengthens its reputation as a premier destination for live entertainment.
With tickets now available, fans are encouraged to book early to ensure they do not miss out on one of the most anticipated performances of the year.
For more information and to view the full programme as it develops, visitors should head to the official Southport Comedy Festival website.
