THE man labelled as the 'Godfather' of modern stand-up comedy is touring for the first time in 15 years... and he'll be coming to Southend.

Ben Elton exploded into the national psyche after hosting Channel 4’s Saturday Live.

Now he'll be back on the road with his all-new stand up show through which he'll try to make sense of a "world which appears to have gone stark raving mad".

The comic and author said: "The last time I toured I was still smarter than my phone.

"Things have definitely taken a funny turn."

The 53 date tour kicks off in Dublin on September 27.

On November 2, he will appear at the Cliffs Pavilion.

Tickets will be priced from £25 and will be available from Ticketmaster from Monday.

A limited number will be available on pre-sale tomorrow.