Ever wondered what your favourite celebrities are really like? Fans will be able to get more of an idea of what their idols are like in person in 2023 when a number of famous names head to Wales.
As well as the big music gigs bringing big names like Coldplay, Harry Styles and Jack Savoretti to the area, there are plenty of book signings, comedy shows and other unique events which will put some famous names in the spotlight.
So you don't miss your chance to rub shoulders with your favourite celebrities, we've pulled together a list of who you can see and where...
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James Martin
The celebrity TV chef is inviting guests into his on-stage kitchen, including celebrity friends and members of the audience as he hits the road with a brand new tour - James Martin Live. He'll be bringing his show to:
- Cardiff on Sunday, October 29
- Lladudno on Thursday, November 2
Al Pacino
Experiences don't get any better than having dinner with your favourite star so Al pacino fans are going to love this event. The Oscar winner is coming to Newport where he will take part in an on-stage interview and tuk into a three-course dinner with guests.
He will be visiting the ICC in Newport on Sunday, May 1 and Monday, September 4
Russell Howard
The comedian, television presenter, radio presenter and actor - best known for his television show Russell Howard's Good News, as well as regular appearances in the hit show, Mock The Week - has three shows in Wales:
- Cardiff from March 25-26
- Swansea from April 1-2
- Aberystwyth from April 11-12
Michael Rooker
Comic con has made a major guest announcement, with Guardians of the Galaxy and Walking Dead star Michael Rooker set to attend the event in Newport next year. The American actor is best known for his roles in Guardians of the Galaxy, the Walking Dead and Savant in The Suicide Squad.
The event will take place on Saturday, August 12 and Sunday, August 13 at ICC Wales, with more special guests also due to be announced.
Ricky Gervais
Best known for his iconic appearances in The Office and Afterlife, Ricky Gervais is hitting the stage in Armageddon, in Cardiff. The actor and comedian will be visiting as part of his live stand up comedy tour
He is set to be performing at Cardiff International Arena on Wednesday, January 18. For those who couldn't wait until 2023, he added an extra date on Thursday, December 15, 2022.
Boyzlife
The general admission ticket includes a meet and greet experience with Boyzlife before the show kicks off, meaning people can get to meet some of the most popular '90s and '00s stars face to face. The supergroup includes Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden, who previously appeared as boybands Boyzone and Westlife, respectively - and the pair have already become high profile since they came together, having performed for over 20,000 fans.
The act is set to be at ICC Wales on Saturday, January 21.
Marti Pellow
The man best known for his popstar career is exploring a different side of himself that has previously been well-hidden in his new tour. Set in a 1970s living room typical to the one he grew up in, the two-hour show takes the audience through a series of music and stories as he shares his journey.
He will be performing the show at the following places:
- Lyric at Carmarthen on Wednesday, May 17
- Gwyn Hall in Neath on Thursday, May 18
- Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl on Friday, May 19
- Riverfront in Newport on Saturday, May 20
- Savoy in Monmouth on Sunday, May 21
Tom Allen
If you’ve ever wanted to see comedian Tom Allen on stage rather than on screen, now is your chance. The Bake Off co-presenter and host of the light-hearted after show, The Apprentice: You’re Fired, is coming to Wales at the end of February.
His comedy shows on the tour are set to be all the rage, as the last tour he did ending up selling over 50,000 tickets altogether.
Allen will be at:
- Park and Dare in Treorchy on Thursday, February 23
- Arts Centre in Aberystwyth on Friday, February 24.
Sara Pascoe
The star of BBC2 stand-up special Sara Pascoe Live: LadsLadsLads and writer of the BBC2 sitcom Out Of Her Mind is also going on tour next year, and presenting her new show, Show And Tell, to these Welsh venues:
- St David's Hall in Cardiff on Saturday, April 1
- Grand Hall in Aberystwyth on Thursday, March 30
Jimmy Carr
Swansea Arena issued a warning when describing the news that Jimmy would be doing a gig there, saying: “Jimmy’s show contains jokes about all kinds of terrible things. Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love. But they’re just jokes – they are not the terrible things."
He will be at the arena for his performances on Thursday, March 30 and Friday, March 31.
Shaun Ryder
As lead singer of Happy Mondays, Ryder was a leading figure in the Manchester cultural scene during the late 1980s and early 1990s, and now he is going on tour to share his remarkable experiences during his life, career and time in the music industry. The aftershow meet and greet includes an opportunity to get one item signed and take a selfie.
He will be at the Glee Club Cardiff on Saturday, January 15.
Peter Kay
Peter's public profile was raised back in 2000 when he co-wrote and starred in That Peter Kay Thing for Channel 4. This then resulted in a spin-off sitcom called Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights which ran for two series from 2001 to 2002 and in turn generated another spin-off, Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere in 200.
And now you can see him right here in Wales at Cardiff International Arena on Friday, June 16 and Saturday, June 17 - if you were lucky enough to get tickets.
Suzanne Vega
Vega emerged as a leading figure of the folk-music revival of the early 1980s, with her music career spanning almost 40 years. She first became well known in the mid-1980s, releasing four singles that entered the Top 40 charts in the UK during the 1980s and 1990s and is now offering her fans to see get more of a glimpse into her life.
Vega is going on a UK tour with her show An Intimate Evening of Songs and Stories and will be performing at St David's Hall in Cardiff on Sunday, February 26.
Sara Millican
The popular TV personality and dry-humoured comedian is sure to bring a smile to people's faces in Wales with her 2023 tour: Late Bloomer. She is set to visit these spots:
- William Aston Hall, Wrexham on Thursday, October 6.
- Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl on Friday, October 20.
- Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen on Saturday, October 21.
Francis Rossi
Rossi is often thought of as one of the UK’s best rock performers, famous for lots of well known songs, including Rocking All Over The World and Down Down, and will be putting on shows like he never has before in 2023. He is set to be telling his fans stories from throughout his career, and discussing some of the highlights that have come with it, as well as a few of his previously not performed live songs and acoustic versions of his well known hits.
His Tunes and Chat tour will see him visit:
- Grand Theatre in Swansea on Tuesday, November 14
- Torch in Milford Haven on Wednesday, November 15
- Pavilion, Porthcawl on Friday, November 17
Carrie Hope Fletcher
Blossoming author, YouTube sensation and West End star Carrie Hope Fletcher is also making her way to Wales next year on her first ever solo tour. Entitled, An Open Book, the tour will shine a light on some of her stories she has gathered through performing in Musicals, as she shares anecdotes from her time in shows like the hit Aadams Family, Les Misérables and Heathers, as well as a few songs.
She will be performing in Llandudno on Tuesday, May 23.
Dara Ó Briain
Another comedian coming to Wales on his tour next year is Dara Ó Briain, who performed the show Voice Of Reason 180 times, over two years across 20 countries, from Auckland to Reykjavik, from Moscow to New York; and by March 2020 he was ready for a break. He will be visiting:
- Swansea Arena on Thurday, March 9
- Cardiff Wales Millenium Arena on Sunday, April 2
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