THE Sitting Room Comedy Club returns to the Monkbar Hotel, in Monk Bar, York on January 14 for its first show of 2016.

Promoter Tom Taylor, who was crowned the inaugural Great Yorkshire Fringe Comedian of the Year last July, says: "We enjoyed four fabulous shows in 2015 and I'm working hard to make 2016 even bigger and better, starting next week when we kick off the new year with two of the country’s most sought-after headliners on the same bill.”

As seen and heard on The Chase, Stewart Lee's Alternative Comedy Experience, The News Quiz, The Now Show and Just A Minute, Paul Sinha tops the 8pm line-up. Support comes from Danny Buckler, rising star Peter Brush and compère Scott Bennett.

York Press:

Compere Scott Bennett

“To close the show, I'm delighted to welcome to York BBC Radio 4 regular and Sitting Room favourite Paul Sinha. A familiar face to quiz fans, Paul has stormed every Sitting Room gig he's played with his witty, smart and opinionated comedy blend," says Tom. "Paul previewed his new tour show at our Leeds gig last July and, unsurprisingly, he was superb. Paul is simply one of the UK's finest comedians.”

Former magician Danny Buckler opens next Thursday's show. Buckler toured for many years with Victoria Wood and was part of her West End show Victoria Wood And Friends and he has supported Ricky Gervais and the late Bob Monkhouse on tour.

York Press:

"Likeable, affable and charismatic" Danny Buckler

“Back in June 2013 I booked Danny as a last-minute replacement for a big TV headliner who dropped out," recalls Tom. "He had big shoes to fill and goodness did he fill them! Likeable, affable and charismatic, his performance remains one of the funniest I've ever seen.

“I’ve worked with Danny countless times since then and he’s received a rapturous response every time. He’s a mesmerising performer and a joy to watch.”

Peter Brush, a distinctive performer and deft writer of finely crafted jokes, takes the middle slot. He has been a finalist in a variety of comedy competitions, such as the BBC New Comedy Award 2013, as well as winning the 2012 Harrogate Comedian of the Year, and he has written for BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, The Show What You Wrote and Newsjack.

York Press:

Peter Brush: "going to be huge"

“Peter is one of my favourite emerging acts and I'm convinced he's going to be huge," predicts Tom. "With an arsenal of razor-sharp quirky one-liners and peerlessly original routines, all delivered in an amusingly awkward fashion, he's like a Yorkshire Woody Allen.”

English Comedian of the Year finalist Scott Bennett completes the line-up as host and compère.Tickets cost £10 from the Monkbar Hotel reception or at sittingroomcomedy.com