Comedy Roast UK: Richard Blackwood

Why not treat a loved one to a romantic roast on Valentine's Day? Spectators in their droves look set to flock to the Shepherd's Bush Empire to watch comedian Richard Blackwood get "roasted" by six fellow professionals. But where "comedy roast" may well mean something totally different for a group of footballers on a night out on, say, 1st April, in the show-business world of stand-up it's a whole new probing activity. Roasting someone is very much like toasting them, except instead of raising a glass, you're expected to mix comedic insults with praise, tributes and outlandish stories both true and totally fabricated. The "roastee" - in this case comedy stalwart Mr Blackwood - accepts the ribbing in good light and performs to the crowd too, safe in the knowledge that it's a great honour (as opposed to a footballing degradation) to be roasted. The whole concept comes from over the Atlantic and makes its UK debut with this star-studded show, which features fellow black comics Slim, Kat, Miss London, Mr Cee (The Roast Master) and Harvey. For more information go to www.comedyroastuk.com.