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Ben Elton is returning to stand-up after an eight-year absence.

You wouldn't have thought he needed the money, but millionaire musical writer, novelist and film director Ben Elton is going back to what made him famous in the first place: stand-up.

The big question is, can he still cut it eight years after his last tour? The critics will certainly be ready to pounce if he can't.

With many former fans disillusioned by his transformation from left-wing alternative comic to Andrew Lloyd-Webber-hugging writer of musicals, he's got plenty to prove.

So far 23 dates have been announced starting in Reading on November 17 - but more are sure to be added if demand matches promoters' expectations.

"Buy [tickets] now and tout them later," they say with flagrant disregard for the 'non-transferable' stipulation.

See, he is still a rebel.