TICKETS for TV comic Lee Mack's Southend shows sold out within 48 hours  ̶ even though the funnyman won't be on stage there for more than a year.

The star of the BBC One sitcom Not Going Out and panel show, Would I Lie to You? even added a third Cliffs Pavilion date to his tour schedule when ticket sales went mad.

The Hit the Road Mack tour is his first in four years and will be at the Cliffs, in Station Road, Westcliff, in December of next year.

Theatre director, Ellen McPhilips, said: “We are delighted to continue our run of high profile, hugely popular artists coming to Southend by adding Lee Mack to our line up.

“Although all three dates are now sold out, we do have some tickets released from time to time so it is always worth checking the website.

“The Cliffs Pavilion has a reputation in the industry as a great venue which delivers great audiences.

"This reputation allows us to go from strength to strength when securing the best artists and shows possible for Southend.”

Mack is at the Cliffs on December 4, 5 and 6, 2014.