FUNNYMAN Ardal O’Hanlon praised the Bridport comedy crowd when he appeared at the Electric Palace.

The actor and comedian performed the sold-out show at the top of the bill with resident compere Craig Campbell and rising star Seann Walsh.

He told afterwards of his fondness for Bridport – and hailed Sunday lunch at the Bull as the best in Britain.

Ardal, who starred in Father Ted and My Hero, told the Bridport News that he had enjoyed the one-off performance.

“It was so great to get such a good crowd on a Tuesday night.

“I like the town.

“I have been here before and we have stopped on the way through before.

“We stopped at the Bull on the way to Exeter for Sunday lunch. They do the best Sunday lunch in Great Britain.”

Ardal had his family with him for the show.

He said that it wasn’t rocket science to put on a good comedy show and tried out some new material in the set as part of his preparation for an appearance on the Dave’s One Night Stand slot on the Dave comedy channel.

Ardal, who appeared at the Electric Palace three years ago, also praised the abilities of Mr Walsh and said that he would be delighted to return to the venue again.

Ardal is popular for his role as Father Dougal Mcguire in the classic sitcom Father Ted as well as the superhero Thermoman in My Hero.

Ardal’s praise comes after the Bull was a runner-up in the Best Sunday Lunch category of the Observer newspaper’s Food Monthly magazine awards last year.

Bull marketing manager Billy Lintell said: “It’s great and we’re delighted to get such praise.

“A lot of people pass through our doors because of the Electric Palace and such events as the literary festival.

“We must be doing something right.”

Ardal, Seann and Craig are the latest comedians to appear in the town.

Other recent acts have included Russell Howard, Phill Jupitus, Shappi Khorsandi, Arthur Smith, Mark Thomas and Jenny Éclair.

Phill Jupitus is also returning to town and will be at the arts centre on July 30.