An award-winning comedy and music extravaganza that last year raised a staggering £92,000 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) is heading back to Suffolk. Tickets are now on general sale for Happy Christmas Ipswich 3, spearheaded by celebrity champion Griff Rhys Jones, which is taking place at the town’s Regent Theatre on Monday, 5th December. Back by popular demand, it promises to be another sell-out and hopes are high as it follows in the footsteps of last year’s spectacular, which featured Johnny Vegas, Clive Anderson, Eddie Izzard and Stephen Fry, as well as music from West End star Ruthie Henshall. Griff is promising “another knock-out, jingly-belled line-up” and said: “After the success of the last two outings, we’re going for a third Happy Christmas Ipswich. “Yes, the ‘Happiest Christmas Yet Ipswich’ hits the borough on December 5th, at the Regent. “Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without it and it’s going to be bigger, bouncier and more fun than ever before. It’ll be quite a present for a really important service. “I always think of the Happy Christmas event as part show and part shout-out for EACH, and the brilliant work it does across East Anglia. “I love doing it, the stars love doing it and we’re so lucky to have such incredible line-ups. It gets noise going.” In addition to its star-studded cast, clips of celebrities reading their favourite cracker jokes was shown on the big screen before and during last year’s show. Ant and Dec, speaking from the set of I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!, Graham Norton and David Walliams were among those to get in the spirit and respond to Griff’s request. Star names for this year’s line-up are yet to be announced but tickets are available now by clicking here. You can also watch a special video message from Griff where he promises a “cornucopia of comedy” at the Regent. Last year’s Happy Christmas Ipswich event scooped a coveted prize in the Event/Campaign of the Year category at the Chartered Institute of Fundraising East Anglia Awards, in June. EACH Events Manager Becky Redbond is looking forward to this year’s edition and said: “Happy Christmas Ipswich 2 was such a resounding success last December. “This year’s version promises to be even bigger and better and, as always, we’re extremely thankful to Griff. He continues to do us proud. “He’s such a tireless supporter and, thanks to him, this event has become a major highlight of our fundraising year. “We’re never content to rest on our laurels and the planning process is already well underway. It promises to be another unforgettable night.” The first Happy Christmas event was held in 2019 and featured the likes of Al Murray and Lee Mack. EACH supports families and cares for children and young people with life-threatening conditions. In addition to The Treehouse, in Ipswich, EACH has two other hospices – The Nook, just outside Norwich, and at Milton, near Cambridge. Image credits – EACH
