In many quarters, comic and TV presenter Dara Ó Briain is regarded as Britain's Favourite Irishman, a title left vacant after Terry Wogan left Radio 2 for the south of France.

Ó Briain has won many fans through his stewardship of BBC2's top-rated comedy panel show, 'Mock the Week', which he has hosted since 2005. An avowed Anglophile, he has attracted wide acclaim in the UK for his sharp, perfectly judged humour and warm, avuncular manner. He'll love 'avuncular'. It is a further measure of the Irishman's huge popularity in the UK that he is widely loved in spite being a self-confessed 'gamer' and an Arsenal fan, both of which usually attract ridicule.

His credits are almost too numerous to list. Alongside Griff Rhys Jones and Rory McGrath, he has starred in the BBC's popular 'Three Men in a Boat' series and is a regular host of 'Live at the Apollo'. His stand-up career, which began around 15 years ago, has included best-selling Edinburgh Fringe shows, successful live DVDs, radio work and a wide range of well-received TV credits.

Dara O Briain's UK Craic Dealer tour kicks off with three dates at the Civic Hall in Wolverhampton on 18th to 20th May 2012, with many more UK gigs set to be announced soon.

We have tickets for the Wolverhampton shows available now, priced £21.

Ahead of the UK tour, O Briain has a 15-date residency in Dublin, beginning on 4th January and split by two dates in Killarney on 20th and 21st January. After the final Dublin show on 3rd February, Craic Dealer goes to Cork for four shows from 7th Feb before a gig in Castlebar on 23rd February.

A number of the Ireland dates are already sold out but tickets are still available for many shows, priced around €25 to €30.

Next month, O Briain will also be appearing at the two huge Rock With Laughter shows at the Birmingham LG Arena, alongside Jimmy Carr and Sarah Millican, and with music from Marti Pellow and Gabrielle. We have tickets available now from £32.50.

Update: London dates added

With tickets for his regional 'Craic Dealer' UK dates flying, Dara has just announced (on Monday 30th Jan) four London dates at the Hammersmith Apollo between 19th and 27th October. Tickets are on sale now, priced £25 + fees. Expect massive demand.