Jason Manford among headliners at Easter Comedy Eggstravaganza for Ukraine at Manchester O2 Apollo

Top comedians will be raising laughs - and cash - at a charity gig in aid of people in Ukraine.

Justin Moorhouse and John Thomson teamed up to pull together a top-class bill for the Easter Comedy Eggstravaganza for Ukraine gig, to be held at the 02 Apollo in Manchester at 6pm on Easter Monday (18 April 2022).

The show will raise money for international charity the Legacy of War Foundation which provide support to civilians affected by conflict.

Who else is on the bill?

There’s pretty much something for everyone in a jam-packed night of comedy.

Alongside Salford’s own Jason Manford, there is larger-than-life Johnny Vegas, Phoenix Nights favourite Dave Spikey and Have I Got News for You regular Kiri Pritchard-McClean.

There’s also an appearance from ex-Corrie star Les Dennis plus North-West favourites Ted Robbins and Steve Royle.

Completing the line-up are Tom Binns, Daliso Chaponda, Nina Gilligan, Tez Ilyas, Mick Miller and Adam Rowe - with Moorhouse and Thomson too, of course, who praised those taking part for signing up at short notice for the good cause.

Justin said: "I’m so chuffed that we’ve booked the likes of Jason Manford, Dave Spikey and Johnny Vegas. We’ve also got the brilliant Kiri Pritchard-McLean, who is making a big name for herself on Have I Got News For You and Live at the Apollo.

“We have also secured the legends that are Mick Miller, Ted Robbins and Les Dennis - that’s a boy band I’d like to see formed!"

How do I get tickets?

Tickets are available now at GigsandTours.com or at Ticketmaster.co.uk

Prices start at £40 and the event is suitable for people aged over 15. All net profits from ticket sales will be given to Legacy of War Foundation.

What else have the organisers said?

John and Justin added: “Everyone has been shocked, saddened and powerless by what’s been happening in Ukraine over the past few weeks.

“We knew we had to help out one of our own, Ukrainian president and former comedian Volodymyr Zelenskyy and all those affected by conflict by putting on a very special show to raise money for the Legacy of War Foundation. It’s going to be an amazing night. Do your bit and buy some tickets!”

Alan Erasmus, the founder of Factory Records, was also instrumental in the curation of the event and recently went to Ukraine to help refugee efforts.

He said: “Seeing the queues of refugees looks normal at first glance. There are lines of Western European families, not the typical images of refugees familiar from the TV, in smart winter clothing as if they were queuing at the airport for a skiing holiday.

“When you get closer, you realise that it is no holiday that they are on – they have all the belongings they can carry, kids with pull along cases, cats and dogs on leads and bags and they are actually fleeing from the Russians. This is a huge displacement of people – they all need our help.”