A COMEDY club has severed ties with its long-standing host of 23 years.

Comedian Stephen Grant has performed his final show as part of the Krater Comedy Club at Komedia Brighton.

In a statement released on Twitter, the 48-year-old thanked all those who had attended, worked at and performed at the comedy club over the years.

“4,000 gigs, 500 pro comics, 23 years, 13 awards and over a million audience members later, the Brighton Krater club is over,” he said.

“For all of you who came, either watch it, play it, or work there, thank you.”

The award-winning MCs comedy promotions and booking company Annephen Ltd lost the tender to run gigs at the venue.

In a statement released in October last year, Annephen said: “After an incredibly difficult 18 months, we were both astonished and dismayed to be told that Komedia Brighton were exercising their right to terminate our contract, after 22 years.

“We were invited to tender for our own contract but learnt we were unsuccessful.

“Though Komedia’s decision to terminate the contract was unexpected and upsetting, we respect their right to make that decision.

“The reason given was ‘in light of developments of the last couple of years, Komedia Ltd has reviewed how it will operate in-house comedy events’.

“We wish them well taking the venue where their passions lie.”

The Argus: Stephen Grant Stephen Grant

The Krater Comedy Club will continue to exist in Bath.

“The Krater name will continue to be used in Bath with the joint agreement of both parties but cease to exist in Brighton at the end of the contract,” an Annephen spokesman added.

Komedia Brighton has won the Chortle Award for Best Comedy Club in the South on 17 occasions.

In 2008 and 2011, Stephen won the Chortle Award for Best Compère.

A spokesman from Komedia Brighton said: “It’s of the utmost importance to the whole Komedia team to remain at the leading edge of the comedy world - unfortunately it was clear that our flagship show was in danger of falling below these high standards.”

The venue also offers other comedy nights, including Comic Boom, for rising comedy stars, and Bent Double, a gay-friendly night hosted by Zoe Lyons.