One of the biggest names in comedy tops the bill for a club’s first show of the new year.

The Comet: Barry From Watford performing at a previous Mostly ComedyBarry From Watford performing at a previous Mostly Comedy (Image: Archant)

With 30 years experience in the entertainment industry behind him, Phill Jupitus visits Hitchin next week for a night of stand-up.

Hitchin duo Doggett and Ephgrave will introduce the household name on Thursday, January 23, as they host their first Mostly Comedy show of 2014 at The Market Theatre in Sun Street.

Jupitus has pretty much done it all since he quit working at a job centre in 1984 to begin touring the country as a left-wing punk poet known as Porky The Poet.

Having supported bands such as The Style Council, Billy Bragg and The Housemartins – who he eventually became a press officer for – the 51-year-old turned his attention to comedy in the ‘90s while keeping his links to the music industry.

His big TV break came in 1996, when he joined BBC Two’s comedy panel pop quiz Never Mind The Buzzcocks as a regular team captain, in a period which also saw him present his own show on BBC Radio London until 2000.

As a stand-up, Jupitus has performed two UK tours: the Star-Wars-themed Jedi, Steady, Go in 1996, and Quadrophobia in 1999.

Other exploits include a stint on another BBC comedy panel game show – It’s Only TV But I Like It – and regular appearances on BBC One’s QI.

Joining Jupitus will be 82-year-old lifestyle guro and BBC Radio 2 favourite Barry from Watford.

The alter-ego of Alex Lowe will be familiar to Mostly Comedy regulars and listeners to Steve Wright in the Afternoon alike.

And his latest Hitchin appearance comes fresh from his episode in Sky Atlantic’s mockumentary series Common Ground, which The Guardian described as “joyous and such skilful character work. Full series please”.

Completing the line-up are compères Doggett and Ephgrave, which Edinburgh Festival reviewer Three Weeks say have “a sparky chemistry with a good line when it comes to gentle self-deprecation”.

Doors open at 8.30pm, with the first act taking the stage at 9.15pm.

Tickets cost £8 and can be bought in advance via www.mostlycomedy.co.uk