THE ever popular Mayflower Theatre promises the funniest stand-up season yet.

The next 10 months see to be a massive draw for the Southampton site with a whole host of comedians lined up to take centre stage.

First up on September 20 Britain’s favourite landlord, Al Murray, who brings with him his no-nonsense one-liners while pouring himself a pint or five.

His tour, which has been extended twice, celebrates 20 years since he first set out to become King Cnut of Common Sense.

Then on October 4, former python Michael Palin brings the pages to life of his diaries. His Thirty Years Tour sees him tell the story of life in the public eye, from the end of the 1960s when he and the other pythons first started out to present day, assessing the range of changes he’s witnessed over the years.

He’s shortly followed by TV stand-up Jimmy Carr and his punchy one-liners on October 11. Following his sell-out show in April, he’s been described as “the hardest working man in comedy”, and his show Funny Business is not one to be missed.

Then for one night only people can catch Julian Clary’s The Joy of Mincing. It promises to be a celebration of his 30 years as one of the campest comedians depicting stories from his love life, how he saved Dame Joan Collins’s life and the perils he’s faced with DIY.

World renowned musical comedian Bill Bailey returns with his new show Limboland, for two nights on May 13-14. He’ll focus on the gap between how we imagine our lives to be and how they really are, using his trademark wit and keyboard tricks, and will treat audience members to a special downbeat rendition of Happy Birthday.

Rounding up the season is the Geordie queen of comedy Sarah Millican who now - having previously unknown to - ventures outdoors, dressed in newly acquired outside slippers. Outside is on June 24.

Tickets for all the shows can be bought from the Mayflower Theatre box office by calling 02380 711811 or online at mayflower.org.uk.