Me with John Gilbert at the bar in Durty Nellies.

John Gilbert is the festival director for The Hull Comedy Festival. John can be seen at various venues during the festival watching the acts, we caught up with him after the Ivan Brackenbury gig during the 2007 festival.

John spoke to me about his favourite comics and who had been booked to perform at the Hull Comedy Festival. He also told me how the event wasn't just about big names like Stewart Lee and Frank Sidebottom, but was also an important platform for local talent.

I also bumped into John Gilbert recenty at Durty Nellies and we had a chat about about this years Hull Comedy Festival. Comedians already confirmed for 2008 include Frankie Boyle, Jason Manford, Paddy McGuinness, Jeremy Hardy, Jo Caulfield, Russell Howard, Pete Firman, Russell Kane, Andy Train, The Live Naked Idiots, The Hull Blokes, B-13, Scarlet Lights, Ladma, Rannel, Ian Billings, Sam Jones, Anna Black, Ha Ha Hamlet, Fakespeare, Horrid Henry, Robert Temple, Duncan Oakley, Maria Pashley, The Casey Juniors, Gareth Richards, Alan Hudson, Keith Platt, Jamie Sutherland, Chris Lynam, Benny Boot, Sean Moran, Kate Smurthwaite and the legend that is Keith Chegwin!

Links:

• The Mike Brown Radio Show webpage.
• Hull Comedy Festival's official website.
• Hull Comedy Festival's myspace.