FRANK Astaire's Ruddy Great Variety Show wants to recapture that bygone golden age of clean family entertainment for a less grateful generation at The Duke's Comedy Night in York on July 19.

"We're hugely proud to welcome back compere extraordinaire and after-dinner speaker to the stars Frank Astaire with his very special Edinburgh Fringe preview night," says promoter Daniel Triscott. "Frank performed at The Duke's way back in September to a full house and to everyone's agreement tore the roof off the place with how amazing he was. I've gigged with Frank numerous times and have thoroughly enjoyed it on every single occasion."

Welcoming Astaire's return to the Duke of York pub in King's Square, Daniel says: "As a household name ever since his roaring debut on The Wheeltappers and Shunters Social Club, Frank Astaire is a living legend and has been working the clubs for longer than anyone can remember, himself included.

"He's a master of the casual putdown, a renegade of repartee, and he's proud to say one word of his set has not changed since the late Seventies; there's just a lot less of it he can say now.

"A confident and masterful performer, Frank is a firm hand on the tiller that can guide any audience to gales of laughter and beyond without breaking sweat."

Frank Astaire's Ruddy Great Variety Show will mix household names (his own) with less well-known acts (everyone else) in a "strictly non-sexual orgy of entertainment that is fun for the whole** family***". Or that should really say, **Especially those who voted Leave; *** Strictly over 18s only.

So, who will be "everyone else" on the bill, Daniel? "Making a return to perform at The Duke's are York comedians Jake Donaldson and Laurie Whiteley, both having played the night previously to great success, and I have absolute confidence that they'll be just as funny this time round as well," he says.

"On top of which, some new faces will be performing, in the form of Hannah Platt and Luke Wright, so that's another element to the night everyone will be looking forward to. Especially given that I know they're both fantastically funny."

Last month, The Duke's Comedy Night held its first birthday show. "Not only was there chocolate cake to celebrate but all the acts did really, really well," says Daniel. "I was so pleased with how everything went. I think the fact that it's summer and there has been the footy on may be the reason that there's been a slight drop in audience numbers but, nevertheless, I saw a fair few new faces last month and I can say for a fact that everyone there laughed very heartily throughout. So, all in all, it was another great night."

Roll on July 19, urges Daniel. "This show is set to be a really good one and I can't begin to tell you much I'm looking forward to it. As usual, I'll be the competent compere holding things together and making sure everyone's having a great time," he says. "We'll start at 8pm at the Duke of York pub and, as always, entry is 100% free and seats are first come, first served."