A RETURN to the scene of a classic movie moment is among highlights hidden in the line-up for this year's Wells Comedy Festival.

The event, which runs in the Somerset city from May 22 to 24, has launched ticket sales for the first 46 shows of the bill.

Dozens of comedy shows take place at six venues in Wells, all within walking distance of one another, across the May Bank Holiday.

Among those performing is podcast host and Hot Fuzz star Adam Buxton – who is already sold out – returning to the location of the comedy movie in which he played local journalist, Tim Messenger.

Other highlights include Netflix star and Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Bridget Christie, legendary controversial American comic Reginald D Hunter, TV regular Mark Watson, ‘Taskmaster’ champion Lou Sanders, absurdist maestro Paul Foot and ‘QI’ star Sindhu Vee.

There are ‘Live at the Apollo’ stars galore – including Dane Baptiste, Sindhu Vee, Rhys James, Mawaan Rizwan, Jessica Fostekew, Jen Brister, Fin Taylor, Sara Barron and Larry Dean – plus Edinburgh Comedy Award nominees Mat Ewins, Lucy Pearman, Tony Law, Alun Cochrane, Glenn Moore, Sam Fletcher, Joseph Morpurgo, Jayde Adams and Kieran Hodgson.

And that’s not all, there’s Radio 4’s Mitch Benn, Viceland stars Harriet Kemsley and Bobby Mair, Colin Hoult’s character creation Anna Mann, stand-up and podcaster Stuart Goldsmith, Funny Women Award winner Gabby Best, provocative stand-up Alfie Brown, absurdist favourite Pat Cahill, star of BBC’s ‘Jerk’ Tim Renkow and the Comedians Cinema Club’s version of Wells’s very own ‘Hot Fuzz’.

Somerset County Gazette:

AWARD WINNER: Bridget Christie

All of these shows – and four Gala shows showcasing a secret line-up of the best of the fest – are on sale now via www.wellscomfest.com.

Ben Williams, founder and producer of the festival, said: "We’re so excited to announce so many shows for this year’s festival, with many returning favourites alongside new faces.

"Stay tuned for more announcements."

Andy Vallis, editor of Wells Voice, the event's official media partner, said: "Wells Comedy Festival brings a real buzz to the city, and with the first star names announced for 2020, the excitement is already building for this year's event.

"It should be another memorable weekend."

Further shows will be announced in the coming weeks.