There was an extra buzz in the air at Sticky Mike’s ahead of this month’s regular Gittins To Know You comedy night with the much-anticipated appearance of bona fide national treasure Harry Hill.

It was a remarkable experience to see Hill in such close quarters – the intimate venue adding to the feeling that the event was one to be remembered.

There were no compromises from Hill, despite the relatively low-key venue – donning his full trademark outfit, he performed a half-hour of the comedy which has seen him receive such acclaim.

Catchphrases, sly social commentary, puns and physical tomfoolery were all presented through his stream of consciousness delivery.

It was not all about Hill, however – closing act Holly Burn went one level even more surreal, combining numerous props and pratfalls with an absorbing, almost overwhelming mania.

And host Brian Gittins played his role of anti-host with aplomb – a hugely entertaining, post-modern mix of deliberately nonsensical jokes and self-sabotaged audience interaction.

With Adam Buxton set to appear later in the year, it looks like the profile of the night will continue to rise.