Nicola Sturgeon to headline comedy festival show

Nicola Sturgeon is to headline a show at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival next year.

The former First Minister will be joined by crime author Val McDermid for a night entitled "Books & Banter" on 22 March at the city's King's Theatre.

The duo have previously held a number of "in conversation with" events across the country, discussing their shared passion for literature.

Other performers during the festival include Frankie Boyle, Susie McCabe and Christopher MacArthur-Boyd bringing a live version of their podcast Here Comes the Guillotine to the stage, award winning comic Russell Kane and Scot Squad star Darren Connell.

Prior to the festival, Sturgeon and McDermid will perform a festive show at Edinburgh's Assembly Hall on 5 December.

On both occasions they will be joined by two guests.

Sturgeon served as Scotland's first minister for nine years from 2014 until 2023.

In a statement the duo said: “Our love of books is what first drew us together and it remains the mainstay of that friendship.

"We’ll be interrogating our guests about the books that shaped them and why they love reading. Revelations galore await as we explore the love and laughter between the covers."

Around 175 shows have been confirmed for the festival, which will run from 12-30 March next year.

Festival Director Krista MacDonald said: “We’re looking forward to celebrating Glasgow as the funniest city in the world, as hundreds of comedians and performers set out to entertain audiences in venues all across the city."