The first comedy night of the year at Shipley’s Waterside Restaurant & Bar takes place on Monday at 8pm.

My Newt Comedy – a play on words – is run by Steeton PR director and stand-up comedian Daniel Kennedy. To kick off the new season he’s got two professionals and two up-and-coming acts.

Bradford-boy Rob Gilroy currently lives in Bingley and his on-stage persona Jerry Bucham has earned him praise from some of the higher echelons of British comedy.

Daniel said: “Chris Addison (Mock the Week and In the Thick of It) has said that Rob is ‘one of the best new comedy writing talents around’ while fast-rising comedy star Josie Long called him ‘really funny’ and ‘excellent’.

“To date he has opened for Chris Ramsey and Pat Monahan, worked with the likes of Ross Noble and Bob Mortimer while on the BBC scheme Jesting About and has written for a number of radio shows, including Dave Gorman’s Pub Olympics on Radio 2.

“Callum Scott is a Leeds-based comic who made a real stir in 2012, winning both the Tickled Pig and Mr Ben’s New Act of the Year awards, and getting to the semi-final stages of the national So You Think You Are Funny comedy competition. He’s tipped for big things in 2013.”

The two professionals on the bill are Big Lou – reputedly a well-loved, and hard to miss, face on the Northern comedy circuit – and John Cooper, whose on-stage persona Danny Pensive is said to be hotly tipped to be seen on national television in the not-too-distant future.

The Waterside Restaurant & Bar is located on Wharf Street, Shipley, and doors open for My Newt Comedy on Monday, January 21, at 7.30pm, with the show starting at 8pm.

Entry is £5. The owners recommend arriving early to avoid having to stand. For more information call (01274) 594444.