John Sergeant's planned appearance at Bungay's tiny Fisher Theatre next year has proved the biggest box office rush in the theatre's history.Tickets are already virtually sold out for his invitation to “waltz round the corridors of power and the inner workings of the BBC” even though he does not take to the stage until April 28.

John Sergeant's planned appearance at Bungay's tiny Fisher Theatre next year has proved the biggest box office rush in the theatre's history.

Tickets are already virtually sold out for his invitation to “waltz round the corridors of power and the inner workings of the BBC” even though he does not take to the stage until April 28.

Chris Moore, the theatre's general manager, said: “You could say it was inspiration or just lucky that I booked him a month before his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing.

“Since he walked out the show it has gone crazy with people clamouring for tickets, and most of it has happened in the last couple of days after it was reported in both the EDP and The Times that he would be coming here.”

Mr Moore said it was clear that in the questions and answers session, people would be eager to hear the inside story of his departure from Strictly.

He said: “No other acts to have come here have ever sold out so far in advance.”