Comic heroes hit Toon for ten days of mirth.

Byline: By Gordon Barr

There are laughs galore in Newcastle over the next week. Showbusiness Reporter Gordon Barr has a round-up of what's on offer

It's here at last! After a four-year absence, the Newcastle Comedy Festival finally kicks off again tonight.

Held in marquees in the city's Exhibition Park, it promises to be 10 days of fun-packed frivolity featuring a host of well-known names.

And making a welcome return to the festival is one of the country's best-known funnymen, Julian Clary

Julian was last in Toon in June, playing the role of Leigh Bowery in the musical Taboo. He's at the comedy festival on Thursday with his acclaimed Natural Born Mincer show.

"It's great to see the festival back," he says. "I think you've got some good people on this year. Comedy festivals generally are a good idea and I'm always happy to do them.

"It's my Mincer show, which I have brought to Newcastle already, but there will no doubt be a few changes.

"And people know what to expect when they come to see me. I've been coming to Newcastle for years now but I don't think I've ever done a show in a tent there before, so that will be a new experience for me. But I like to experience things!"

Julian, 45, is putting the finishing touches to his autobiography A Young Man's Passage.

"Yes the deadline has been and gone," he sighs. "But I've had so much to do. Writing the book has been a lot harder than I imagined.

"It's just about there now. It's later than it should be because I was touring with Taboo so I had to put things on hold somewhat.

"But writing it has certainly brought back some memories, both good and bad."

He won't reveal anything from the book, other than: "It makes for a good read...I hope."

Due out early next year, Julian may be back in Newcastle then on a book signing tour.

"I'll want to meet all the people who want to get their hands on A Young Man's Passage," he smirks, as only Julian can.

NJulian Clary is at the Newcastle Comedy Festival on Thursday.

The laughs aren't just at Newcastle Comedy Festival this weekend.

A couple of miles away, at Heaton's Corner House Hotel, a host of comedians will take to the stage tonight for the fortnightly Funny Bones stand-up event.

The trio of main acts are a varied bunch, Greg Cook, from Blackpool, is an ex-binman who has led a very colourful life before his current incarnation as a stand-up comedian.

Josh Daniels is a guitar-based funnyman who has a never-ending supply of wacky songs that always get the audience giggling.

John Scott is a Scottish comedian who has recently moved to Newcastle and is hoping to carve out as strong a reputation in England as he has previously done in Scotland.

Funny Bones is also known for giving valuable stage-time to newer acts on the circuit and tonight's show will feature Richard Thompson from Cambridge and a local lad called Tim doing his first ever comedy gig.

We asked Warren Speed, who is Funny Bones' promoter and tonight's compere, what budding comedians need to make it big in the tough world of stand-up comedy.

"Confidence is the main thing," says Warren. "Despite the fact you're probably nervous as hell, you can't let the audience see it or sense it.

"You need to be in control and you need to know where you're going with your set, you can't just ramble about anything and hope to get away with it, unless of course you're Ross Noble but even he's been practising for years!

"And obviously you need punchlines, something that's going to make the bulk of the audience laugh out loud.

"These things take time to learn, it's a craft, and there's simply no shortcut other than to do as many gigs as possible and always be writing new material."

What's the comedy scene like in the North East at the moment? "There doesn't seem to be many new acts starting out at the moment. We've got established comics based up here and a few others who are slowly improving but the region could benefit from a few more people taking the plunge and having a go, especially women, as its very male-dominated at the moment."

So if anyone fancied having a crack at being a comedian how would they go about it?

"Come along to a Funny Bones comedy show and have a word with myself, or email me on [e-mail] and I'll get you a five minute spot."

NDoors to the Cornerhouse function room open tonight at 8pm with the comedy starting at 8.30pm. Admission is pounds 5/pounds 4 (NUS). For more info contact the venue on [phone] or visit www.funnybonescome dy.co.uk

BBC 7 and BBC Talent will be holding a regional heat for the Beeb's New Comedy Awards in Newcastle on Tuesday.

This year's hopefuls, chosen from more than 600 applicants, will be performing at some of the best comedy clubs around the UK.

The Newcastle heat is hosted by Alfie Joey, one of the stars of Radio 4's Mitch Benn's Crimes Against Music and who has just finished filming I Deal with Johnny Vegas.

Past winners and finalists include Peter Kay, Simon Pegg, Lee Mack, Marcus Brigstock, Nina Conti and Julian Barrat.

The BBC New Comedy Awards are part of BBC Talent and BBC 7's commitment to igniting raw comedy talent.

They comprise nationwide regional heats in September and October, with digital radio network BBC 7 following semi-finals held at Comedy Stores in Newcastle, London and Manchester.

The final will be held at the Manchester Comedy Store in December and will be broadcast on BBC 7.

The funniest comedians will win pounds 2,000 and the opportunity to develop their writing with BBC Radio Entertainment. There may also be the possibility of getting featured on Radio 1's new comedy show the Milk Run.

NThe Newcastle heat is on Tuesday at the Hyena Caf, Leazes Lane. Admission is free, but book on [phone]. Doors open 7.30pm and the show kicks off at 8.15pm.

CAMPING IT UP: Julian Clary

OPENING: Butterfly parade