Stepping back from stand-up

COMEDY fans have a few chances left to see Jason Byrne’s live show before he goes to ground.

The comedian is taking a seven-month break from stand-up to write and shoot a new television sitcom, Father Figure, for BBC One. It will be the longest sabbatical he’s taken from the stage in 17 years.

His show will resurface in August for the Edinburgh Comedy Festival. Byrne holds the remarkable distinction of having sold more tickets at the famous comedy jamboree than any other comedian, including the likes of Eddie Izzard, Jimmy Carr or Dara Ó Briain.