A stand-up comedian has said that the final show of his comedy tour at a theatre in Hornchurch will be like a "homecoming" for him.

Josh James, who was born in Harold Wood and went to school in Hornchurch, is setting off on his debut tour Doin' Alright in 2025 - with the finale taking place at the Queen's Theatre on June 20.

The Hornchurch show is so popular that tickets have already almost sold out.

However, Josh has reassured fans that there will be a second show at Queen's Theatre - later in the evening on June 20, 2025 - which will go on sale towards the end of this month.

The 33-year-old said: "It's quite a big venue and I was a bit worried about filling it - but tickets went so quickly, so I was really surprised to be honest.

"It would be great if we could sell out two (shows in Hornchurch), because we don't often get comedy round this neck of the woods."

Josh added that it's "always been a dream of mine" to play Queen's and said he knew if he ever did his own comedy tour, the final show had to be in Hornchurch.

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The comedian now lives in Brentwood, but went to The Campion School in Hornchurch, and so said that coming to Queen's next year will be like a "homecoming" for him.

Comedy was something that Josh "always wanted to do" but at The Campion he said he did not feel he could do many activities that were "performance related", especially as it was an all-boys school.

Josh said 'it's always been a dream' to bring his stand-up to Queen's Theatre (Image: Josh James)

He said: "It's something that I always wanted to do, but I didn't have the courage to say out loud that I wanted to do something which was on stage because I probably would have got slated.

"I don't think it's too common in Hornchurch for someone to say they want to be a performer.

"I think that blokes can be self-conscious too about putting themselves out there - but I would say just go for it."

Josh worked as a broker in the City before getting into comedy - about ten years ago - but since then has won Essex Comedian Of The Year, started his own podcast, and is set to support Mo Gilligan on his In The Moment world tour.

The stand-up comedian's own tour Doin' Alright has 13 dates and counting.

Dates for the second leg of the tour, which will cover northern cities, are set to be announced soon.

Fans can keep an eye on his social media for more information about these shows, as well as the second Queen's Theatre show on June 20, 2025.