Tickets to see comedy star Lee Evans in Lowestoft later this year have sold out after fans queued through the night to secure their seat.
The Essex-born star, whose manic, high-energy performances have earned him a massive following, will be giving a special 'Work in Progress' performance at the Marina Theatre on June 3.
He regularly sells out some of the biggest venues in the country and fans leapt at the chance to see him at a more intimate venue, with many standing in line for up to 14 hours to secure their chance to buy tickets.
By the time the Marina box office opened at 10am this morning, the queue stretched down London Road North as far as Palmers department store.
All tickets were sold before 3pm today.
On the previous occasions the comedy star performed in town – in 2008 and 2011 – all 2,800 tickets for his four shows at the Marina sold out in a matter of hours.
Alan Brady, 53, from High Street, Lowestoft, was the first person in the queue and arrived before 6pm on Saturday.
He said: 'I started getting itchy feet at about 5.30pm.
'I live at the top end of the town and arrived at about 5.45pm. I though a lot of people would already be sitting there.
'I felt embarrassed when I first got there but I got the blanket out and the flask and just waited.
'I did the same the last time Lee Evans was here.'
Sandra Clark, 51, from Jenkins Green, Lowestoft, queued from 8.30pm with her daughter Chantelle Self, 24.
She said: 'It is for my husband really. He is a big fan but he has got to work today. It is not as cold as it was when we queued three years ago.'
Anne Baxter, 39, arrived at 10.30pm and slept on the pavement covered in blankets.
She said: 'I love Lee. I came to the last one. It was fantastic. And he actually came outside to speak to my daughter and did a video for my sister who couldn't come. He is a really nice guy.'
Andrea Fowle, 28, and her husband Simon, 29, travelled from Gravesend in Essex to buy tickets.
'I am a massive fan and have got all the DVDs but haven't seen him live yet,' said Mrs Fowle. 'Our nearest venue is the O2 in London but the tickets are expensive and you won't see much.
'When I found out he was here I said 'I have got to come and see him'.'
A spokesman for the Marina said the comedian would be trying out brand new material during the show ahead of his forthcoming Monsters Arena tour, meaning he might at times refer to notes.
Martin Halliday, Marina chief executive, said: 'It is great to see so many people here.
'We are so honoured to do it.
'We want to be as fair as we can and wanted to make sure local people got the first opportunity to buy tickets.'
The Marina opened its cafe and toilets at 6am and numbered tickets were issued to people standing in line to prevent queue jumping when the box office opened.
? For more information on upcoming shows at the Marina Theatre, visit www.marinatheatre.co.uk
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