Tim Vine to join comedian's show at town theatre

Tim Vine has been announced as one of the artists for Happy Christmas Ipswich 6 in December

Actor and comedian Griff Rhys Jones has announced Tim Vine will be joining him for a landmark charity Christmas show.

Happy Christmas Ipswich 6 - a comedic and musical gala - will be the first performance at the Ipswich Regent Theatre since the venue's renovation.

The show will raise money for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (Each).

Comedian Vine, a one-line joke specialist, will also be joined by drummers from the Royal Hospital School in Holbrook.

Rhys Jones, who lives in the area, said he was excited to perform at the theatre again.

He said he adored Vine and other artists would be confirmed at later dates.

"It is like a giant gala and we have had an incredible range of people coming," he said.

Ipswich Regent Theatre, which has been an entertainment staple in the town since the 1920s, was closed in May as part of the £3.5m redevelopment project.

The theatre's toilets and bars are being revamped while other areas will be modernised.

Griff Rhys Jones said he was excited to perform at the Ipswich Regent Theatre after its renovation

In 2023, the Christmas event raised more than £130,000 for Each, which supports children and their families across Suffolk, Norfolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex.

Last year, Gavin and Stacey's Ruth Jones, and comedians Paul Sinha and Joe Pasquale, were in the line-up.

Tickets for this year's show - fixed for 4 December - have gone on sale via Each's website.