IT'S been a tough year for the arts and entertainment industry, with venues across the country having to close thir doors more than a year ago, and no prospects of reopenign before June.

But in Basingstoke, Anvil Arts is preparing to bounce back, bigger and better than ever.

With something for every age and taste on offer, here are just five of the amazing big names you can catch right here in Basingstoke later this year.

For more information and tickets, visit anvilarts.org.uk

1) Caitlin Moran - Wednesday, July 7 2021

Caitlin Moran is back on the road, and this time she’s celebrating getting older!

Caitlin will be discussing her new book More Than A Woman, a hymn to the women in their 30s and 40s and their supernatural ability to deal with the stuff you never thought would happen to you. Grey hair, hangovers that last for days, ageing parents, having sex with the same person for years and years and still saying ‘thank you’ afterwards - the list goes on.

It is set to be a joyous and hilarious evening filled with uplifting tales of mothers, daughters, female friendship, and life in and beyond your thirties.

Every ticket includes a paperback copy of More Than A Woman (RRP £8.99) to be collected at the venue on the night.

2) Adam Kay - Thursday, July 15 2021

Award-winning comedian Adam Kay returns to share entries from his diaries as a junior doctor in this “electrifying” (Guardian) evening of stand-up and music.

Absolute sell-out Edinburgh Fringe in 2016 - 2019, Soho Theatre 2017, UK tours and multiple West End runs in 2018 and 2019.

The accompanying book, This is Going to Hurt is a Sunday Times bestseller, and is being turned into a major BBC series. Signed copies will be available for purchase on the night.

3) Harry Redknapp - Sunday, September 26 2021

After his sell-out autumn 2019 show, I'm a Celebrity winner Harry Redknapp returns to The Anvil!

An evening with one of the funniest celebrity/football storytellers in the country, this will be a fun-filled event with tales of the jungle and of a football manager's life.

Harry will also host a Q&A with the audience, giving you the opportunity to ask all your burning questions.

4) Jason Manford - Wednesday 6 - Wednesday 20 October 2021

He’s back! It’s been a busy few years for Jason since his last smash-hit stand up show, and fans of Absolute Radio will know that he hasn’t changed a bit.

Like Me is Jason’s latest comic offering set to hit the road, and is sure to be "expert observational comedy" (The Guardian) mixed with "comic gold" (Mail on Sunday).

Jason said: “After the fun we had on my last tour Muddle Class, I’m excited to get back on the road with my new stand up show, Like Me.

"In these trying times, it’s always important to be able to get away for a couple of hours and exercise the old chuckle muscle! So I’m coming to a venue near you in 2021 so we can have a good laugh together. See you then.” 

5) Sarah Millican - Thursday 25 & Friday 26 November 2021

The hilarious Sarah Millican is back on tour with a Bobby Dazzler of a new stand-up show.

In this, her sixth international tour, you’ll learn about what happens when your mouth seals shut, how to throw poo over a wall, trying to lose weight but only losing the tip of your finger, a surprisingly funny smear test, and how truly awful a floatation tank can actually be.

Sarah has spent the last year writing jokes and growing her backside. She can’t wait to get back on the road and make you laugh.