Colchester Mercury Theatre big name shows coming in 2025

From comedy and drama shows to the much-loved Christmas pantomime every year, there is something for everyone.

With that in mind, the Mercury has revealed some of the big names and exciting events coming to the theatre next year.

Here are some big names that have been announced for the Mercury Theatre in 2025.

Harry Hill

Harry Hill is coming to Colchester in 2025 (Image: PA) The iconic comedian is at the venue on February 26 for his New Bits and Greatest Hits tour.

Harry Hill is embarking on his "Diamond Jubilee lap of honour" and celebrating 60 years of "fun, laughter and low-level disruption".

Expect insights into the "hot topics of the day" such as the "demise of the SCART lead, The Culture Wars, the differences between crab sticks and rhubarb and the origins of Tiramisu".

The winner of numerous awards, Hill is perhaps best known for his comedy show Harry Hill's TV Burp and narrating the popular You've Been Framed! series.

Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor

Dennis Taylor, John Virgo and Steve Davis (Image: Goldups Lane) Away from comedy, iconic snooker legends Steve Davis and Dennis Taylor are coming to the Mercury on February 27.

The pair will be recreating the 1985 World Championship Final with host and referee John Virgo.

A record-breaking 18.5m TV viewers stayed up to watch the legendary match, with the show offering spectators a chance to see the rematch with snooker royalty as the pair recreate the final frame from that special night.

There will also be a Q&A, providing watchers the opportunity to pose the questions they perhaps always wanted to ask.

Pam Ayres

Comedian Pam Ayres is coming to the Mercury next year (Image: Mikal Ludlow Photography) On March 2, poet and comedian Pam Ayres will bring her new show to the Mercury Theatre.

Pam returns to the Mercury to talk about her latest book, Doggedly Onward - A life in Poems, 1970s to 2020s.

Pam has gathered her career’s work of poetry into this book, which traces the course of her life, and illustrates how her work has provoked laughter, and some tears, to people around the world.

Her recent TV appearances include two series of The Cotswolds for Channel 5, This Morning, Alan Titchmarsh, Countdown and Would I Lie To You?.

Josh Widdicombe 

Comedian Josh Widdicombe (Image: Kirsty O’Connor/PA) Josh will be coming to the Mercury on April 3 as he warms up ahead of his brand-new nationwide tour later in the year.

Previously referred to as a "household name", Josh has starred in more than 30 series of the multi-award-winning Channel 4 series The Last Leg, as well as having multiple appearances on QI, Live at the Apollo, A League of Their Own, Have I Got News for You and Taskmaster.

He has also performed onstage at the Royal Albert Hall for The Royal Variety Performance.

Joel Dommett

Joel Dommett is coming to the Mercury next year (Image: Edward Moore) The ever-growing comedian and presenter is coming to Colchester on May 1 with his brand-new show Happy Idiot.

The show bio reads: "With glamorous tales from behind the camera and less glamorous anecdotes of first-time fatherhood, Joel remains a charming, exhausted, happy idiot.

As one of the nation’s most familiar faces on television, Joel has established himself as one of the UK’s most trusted and beloved presenters and a firm favourite in UK households.

His presenting duty highlights include the Saturday night smash-hit The Masked Singer, BBC’s reboot of Survivor, ITV2’s I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here: Extra Camp and the frontman of the National Television Awards.

Joel has also hosted BBC’s Live at the Apollo and co-hosts hit podcast, Never Have I Ever with his wife, Hannah.

Adam Frost

BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost (Image: Submitted) Award-winning British garden designer and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Adam Frost, is leaving the garden and heading back out on tour, including a date in Colchester on September 27.

In his most personal show to date, Adam will discuss the plants that have shaped his life and reflect on what’s brought him to where he is now.

He’ll also unearth the inspiration he’s found through life in the garden and share previously untold stories of how his passion for plants has taken him around the world and challenged him with unexpected experiences.

For more information or tickets on any shows, visit mercurytheatre.co.uk.