TOP Manchester stand-up comedian Justin Moorhouse has announced a raft of Cumbrian dates on his latest UK tour.

The Phoenix Nights star and Edinburgh Fringe Festival favourite has four appearances lined up in the county between this autumn and next spring with his new show, Northern Joker.

Life's tough for Moorhouse; his kids don't need him, the dog is getting old and he's retreated back to his youth by hiding under the covers and getting his comics out.

On top of this, the golden age of the Northern straight white male comedian has gone the way of the dinosaurs.

How will he adapt if he wants to survive?

After debuting the routine at the Edinburgh Fringe, Moorhouse will take the show to the popular annual pop-up Roundabout Theatre in Grasmere on Thursday September 13.

The other Cumbrian dates all take place in spring next year: on Friday April 12 at the Carnegie Theatre, in Workington, Friday May 17 at the Beggar's Theatre, in Millom, and Saturday May 18 at the Brewery Arts Centre, in Kendal.

Though starting his career relatively late at 29, Justin has been a regular fixture on the comedy circuit since starring as Young Kenny in Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights.

He once again donned the tiger face-paint for his role for the record breaking run of Phoenix Nights Live at the Manchester Arena, which raised more than £5m for Comic Relief.

The Mancunian's body of work is as impressive as it is varied, and includes stand-up appearances on Live at the Apollo and Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, and acting in Coronation Street and Ken Loach's 2009 film Looking for Eric.

A regular voice on radio too, Justin was crowned The Champion of Champions on BBC Radio 5Live’s Fighting Talk, and has even found time to front his own critically acclaimed podcast About 30 Minutes, No More Than 45.

Tickets for the Grasmere and Kendal shows are available from the Brewery Arts Centre box office, and for the Workington and Millom dates, also visit the respective venues' box offices.