AS Morrissey once sang mournfully in his days in The Smiths, that joke isn't funny any more at the Hyena Lounge Comedy Club in York.

"For various reasons beyond our control, we've been forced to cancel tour shows this week at The Duchess from Mitch Benn yesterday, Andrew Lawrence tonight, Sean Hughes on Thursday and Christian O'Connell on Friday, along with next Thursday's gig by Tony Jameson too," says Hyena Lounge promoter Toby Clouston-Jones.

"If customers have purchased tickets for any of these shows, please can they contact their point of purchase for a refund and accept our apologies for any inconvenience that has been caused."

Tony Jameson will, however, be the host for the Saturday Night Lounge bill at The Duchess this weekend, when the Hyena Lounge regular will introduce Mirfield comic Alun (CORRECT) Cochrane, Phil Wang and Johnny Pelham at 8pm.

"Alun Cochrane makes a very welcome return to our club to open Saturday's show," says Toby. "He's a true master of observational comedy and is always hugely popular with the Hyena Lounge audiences.

"Headlining the night will be the incredibly talented Phil Wang, as seen on The John Bishop Show, The Rob Brydon Show and BBC Three At The Fringe; he's a past winner of the Chortle Student Comedian of the Year Award and sold out his entire run at this summer's Edinburgh Fringe. With Johnny Pelham returning to take the middle slot and Tony Jameson as the host, it really is a fantastic line-up of comedians this weekend."

Tickets cost £14 at hyenalounge.com or on 01904 641413 on the door from 7pm.

P.S. Happy birthday to Sean Hughes, who turns 50 today.