New theatre season, my farce! TV's Royle Family patriarch Ricky Tomlinson will lead a comedy assault on Bradford this Autumn as the Alhambra and St George's unveil their programme for the new season.

The programme is a barrel of laughs as deadpan stand-up Jimmy Carr, excitable Friday Night Project co-host Alan Carr (no relation), nick-nick old schooler Jim Davidson, Have I Got News for You mainstay Paul Merton, and Grumpy Old Women Britt Ekland, Dillie Keane and Denise Black lead the laughter charge at St George's Hall.

For those who like their comedy a little more cultured, there's also the Royal Shakespeare Company's performance of the Comedy of Errors - thought by many to be Big Will's funniest play - lined up for the Alhambra.

And ha-ha-aficionados of all ages will be relieved to hear that the star name of this year's Bradford panto is once again all round funnyman Billy Pierce, who risks typecasting by taking the titular role in the timeless story of the boy who never grew up, Peter Pan.

But the season's line-up is not just a laughing matter - there's a varied music line-up with rockers British Sea Power, Richard Hawley and Gary Moore coming to St George's.

Also marked down for future presentation this year are The Proclaimers, below, diminutive Scouse X-Factor runner up Ray Quinn and Ray Lamontagne, along with perennial Bradford favourites Jools Holland and Maddy Prior and the Carnival Band.

On the theatre side of things, the Alhambra will be transformed into a winter wonderland for Slava's Snowshow, former Alf Garnett actor Warren Mitchell makes a rare stage appearance in Visiting Mr Green and David Essex stars in Andrew Lloyd Weber's Aspects of Love.

And Craig Chalmers, one of the fresh-faced runners-up in the recent TV search to find a new Joseph, takes centre stage in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Adam Renton, general manager of Bradford Theatres, said: "We are delighted that our season starts at the Alhambra with a theatrical experience you'll never forget, Slava's Snowshow, which has its Yorkshire dates only in Bradford.

"We are also delighted to welcome back the Royal Shakespeare Company with A Comedy of Errors and our exciting dance season reaches its finale with Matthew Bourne's The Car Man, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre and Northern Ballet Theatre's Romeo and Juliet.

"As usual at this time of year, we invite you to join us for the biggest panto in the region, Peter Pan starring Yorkshire's own Billy Pearce.

"At St George's Hall we have something for everyone as we continue to host the best in comedy. We're pleased to be able to bring the best in live entertainment to the city of Bradford."

For full line-up, date and times log on to www.bradford-theatres.co.uk e-mail: dave.barnett @bradford.newsquest.cu.uk