After a six-year absence from the stage, professional misery-guts Jack Dee is back with a new stand-up tour.

During his break, he has kept busy with appearances on shows including QI, 8 out of 10 Cats and Have I Got News For You, hosting Radio 4 show I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue, co-writing and starring in four series of BBC2’s hit sitcom Lead Balloon and writing his memoirs Thanks For Nothing which he modestly dedicated to himself – “without whom none of this would have been possible”.

And his reason for going back on the road? “I want to spend less time with my family,” says Jack.

He will be at the Central Theatre on Thursday, March 21 (tickets £21, call 01634 338338) and the Orchard Theatre in Dartford on Wednesday, May 15 (tickets £22, call 01322 220000­).