Johnny Vegas has been unveiled as the mystery comedian performing at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London on Friday night (April 25).

Vegas had been billed as a "Mystery Star" for his turn at the first of comedian Stewart Lee's weekly series of comedy nights, billed as The Ten Best Stand-Ups in the World... Ever.

Earlier he gave an anonymous interview to The Times, conducted by email, in which he explained that "I have to stress that my C status in Showbiz Land really doesn't deserve the title of Mystery Star. It's just been a while, and I'm genuinely nervous."

But Vegas, 36 - real name Michael Pennington - had not been publically named before he joined Lee and co-headliner Simon Munnery in front of 500 fans for the sold-out show. Later shows in the series include Harry Hill and Boothby Graffoe (May 2), Will Adamsdale in Jackson's Way and Kevin McAleer (May 9), John Hegley and Stephen Carlin (May 16) and Greg Fleet and Josie Long (May 23).

Lee has revealed that he had also wanted the run to include Daniel Kitson - who wasn't available - and Jerry Sadowitz - who wasn't interested.

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