ORGANISERS of the Southport Comedy Festival, in association with Halliwell Jones Kia Southport, have announced another major name for this year’s 17-day event at Victoria Park.

BAFTA-winning author, TV writer, comedian and former junior doctor Adam Kay will bring his critically acclaimed live show This Is Going To Hurt to the 15th annual festival on:- Sunday, 11 October 2026.

Tickets have gone on sale today:- Friday, 24 April 2026, on the Southport Comedy Festival website.

Based on his multi-million-selling book and award-winning TV adaptation, the show promises an evening of “electrifying” (The Guardian) stand-up, as Kay shares his uniquely hilarious diaries from life as a junior doctor. 

This Is Going to Hurt spent over a year at number 1 on the Sunday Times bestseller list, has been translated into 38 languages, won numerous awards and sold more than 3 million copies. The live show itself has sold over 350,000 tickets.

Kay is also one of the UK’s bestselling children’s authors, with titles including Kay’s Anatomy, the fastest-selling children’s non-fiction book of the decade. His children’s books have been translated into 32 languages and have sold over one million copies.

His television writing accolades include a BAFTA, a Writers’ Guild Award and a Broadcast Award for his BBC/AMC adaptation of This Is Going to Hurt.

Adam Kay is the tenth show to be revealed for the 2026 programme, joining an already stellar line-up including Jason Manford, Jason Byrne, Henning Wehn, Gary Delaney, Mike Wozniak, Scott Bennett, Laura Smyth, Seann Walsh, Paul Merton and Suki Webster, with more shows still to be announced.

The 15th annual Southport Comedy Festival runs from:- 2 October –18 October 2026, returning for the 6th consecutive year to its luxury, fully seated and heated Elite Events marquee in the scenic surroundings of Victoria Park, home of the world-famous Southport Flower Show.

Press Quotes

"Intersperses horror stories from the NHS frontline with a catalogue of sublimely silly spoof songs, and some blissfully brilliant wordplay" ★★★★★ Mail on Sunday

"Hilarious and heartbreaking" Charlie Brooker

Event Details

Adam Kay:- This Is Going To Hurt
Sunday, 11 October 2026
Doors:- 6pm | Show:- 7pm
Tickets:- £25.50+BF

Book here:- Southport Comedy Festival

Age 16+ Warning:- Contains medical themes and stories that some may find distressing
On sale:- 10am, Friday 24 April 2026 
Venue:- Southport Comedy Festival Under Canvas, Victoria Park, Southport