Simon ParkinLast year Latitude's comedy tent doubled in size because it had proved so popular that heaving crowds couldn't get inside. This year they'll be big screens outside too.Simon Parkin

Last year Latitude's comedy tent doubled in size because it had proved so popular that heaving crowds couldn't get inside. This year they'll be big screens outside too.

Just as well as this year's line-up is a who's who of stand-up talent. There's barely a top touring comic who won't be picking up the mic at some point or other during the weekend.

The big names, Lee Mack (Fri), popular Antipodean stand-up Adam Hills (Sat), the man who passes up a wacky challenge, Dave Gorman (Sat), Jo Brand (Sun) and Laconic wise-cracker Sean Lock (Sun) all need no introduction and they're all sure to draw big crowds.

Marcus Brigstocke will also be hosting his popular The Early Edition, with co-host Andre Vincent.

Slightly less well known, to TV viewers at least, are hyperkinetic curmudgeon Robin Ince (Fri), fast-rising observational comic Russell Kane (Sat) and fantastic Canadian comic/musician Phil Nichol (Fri).

Bringing a political edge to proceedings will be Mark Thomas (Fri) whose shows always challenge as much as entertain.

Other award-winning draws will be Rob Derring (Fri), Ed Byrne (Sat), Rufus Hound (Sun) and Sean Hughes (Sat), whose again returns to stand-up.

After the comedy finishes the Comedy Arena will be taken over by Guilty Pleasures for some retro-nostalgia dance-floor action.