BARRY Cryer, the Yorkshire-born funny man, comedy drama scriptwriter and gagman for the comic greats like Bob Hope and Jack Benny, will be opening the Yorkshire International Business Convention on Friday, June 9.

The Convention, which has a record of attracting world leaders, will also have former US President George Bush Senior as its keynote speaker at the Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate.

While at Leeds University, Mr Cryer's revue performance led to a week's work at the famous City Varieties, where he was spotted by a London agent. Eventually, he played Soho's world famous Windmill Theatre in six shows a day, six days a week.

He went on to write scripts and gags for celebrities ranging from Sir David Frost and the Two Ronnies, to Bob Hope and Jack Benny, and in 2001 he was awarded the OBE for his services to comedy drama.

Mike Firth, the Convention's chief executive, said: "Barry has one of the quickest wits in the comedy business and, as followers of radio's I'm Sorry I Haven't Got A Clue will know, one of the most distinctive laughs. I know he will get us off to a great start."

Updated: 11:11 Wednesday, February 01, 2006