Al Porter has said he "hit rock bottom, learned a lot and made big changes" as he announces a new national tour.
The Tallaght native is set to tell all from "being on the telly, to on the dole, and now sober, living with his mam, having a posh boyfriend but still broke after five years of therapy" during his new tour, Al Porter Now.
Announcing his news on his social media, the comic said: "I’m delighted to announce my brand new show Al Porter Now with dates in Vicar Street, The Everyman and loads more.
"It’s my most personal show ever, from the heart, an upbeat and an upfront look at my journey to here. But it’s funny! Like live therapy with jokes. And I’ve done five years of therapy, so I’ve no mortgage but I do have insight.
READ MORE: Al Porter confirms his return to showbusiness as he announces a series of comedy gigs
"I went from on the telly to on the dole, and now I’m a sober Sally, I’ve turned 30 living in my Mam’s, and I’ve a posh boyfriend but I’m still broke.
"I promise a big catch up with big laughs and a really fun night out. I hit rock bottom, learned a lot and made big changes. I’m excited to show you.
"Audiences of all generations have really enjoyed the previews and I’m so grateful to the venues and people who bought tickets to my work in progress shows for giving me what feels like a second chance to do what I love most and make people laugh, and show them me – Now."
Al has been touring Ireland for the last year with his sell-out Work in Progress shows.
He quit his high-profile radio slot with Today FM in November 2017 amid a furore over unproven allegations made on social media and has declined to publicly comment ever since.
Writing about that difficult time in his life, the stand-up comedian said that he is a "long-time sober" and living a quiet existence in his parents’ house in Tallaght.
He said that about five years ago he "kind of disappeared" and his life changed beyond all recognition.
Porter said after a series of tweets making allegations against him were made in 2017, he took the issues in his personal life very seriously and decided to walk away from all his work commitments.
"From the age of 19 my life had been a runaway train, I had been burning the candle at both ends, leaving me overwhelmed and unable to cope," he said.
"At the time all I wanted to do was go home to my family, but I couldn’t even do that as the media were outside my mam and dad’s house. In the space of 48 hours, it felt like I’d lost everything."
As for his future plans, he said on his website that he is now "fit and healthy and a long-time sober" and indicated he would like to return to his comedy career.
"Now, I’d like to make people laugh again. Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future. Mine starts now," he said.
He then announced his return to the stage following a five-year absence, saying in a statement to his website that he'd "love to make people laugh again."
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