IRREPRESSIBLE comedian Lee Evans delighted a capacity crowd in Ipswich tonight with a powerful return to form.

The Essex-based icon was back on stage at the Regent Theatre trying out new material ahead of a massive 50-date UK tour later this year.

The slapstick funny man, returning to the comedy stage three years since his last major tour, has lost none of his humble charm.

The 47-year-old’s ability to get laughs out of the everyday has endured and it was firmly on display on the first of three sell-out shows in the town.

If you listen hard enough it’s not always what he says that’s necessarily hilarious, but rather how he says or delivers it.

His well-observed topics strike a chord with his audience but it’s his sheer energy, body contortions and facial expressions that make the difference.

Despite the fact he was road-testing gags for his tour later this year, there was no sense among the audience they were short-changed.

Piers Cresswell Riol, 26, of Hatfield Road, Ipswich, said: “It was an excellent display.

“It was comical genius, he’s a really impressive performer.

“I hadn’t seen him before but I’m going to look out for him in the future.”

Anna Pearce, 33, of Bramford Road, Ipswich, said: “My face still hurts it was so funny.

“He was brilliant, I really enjoyed it, all in all it was really good value for money given how big a star he is.”

On this showing Evans, whose UK tour will include eight nights in London, is still as popular as ever with his army of 20 and 30-something followers.

And there was a real sense among gig-goers in Ipswich last night that this was a rare treat to be savoured.

That is because if this showing is anything to go by his star will continue to soar.