A critically acclaimed comedian made a surprise appearance at a Redditch pub yesterday (Wednesday, October 18).

TV favourite Ed Byrne took to the stage at the Palace Theatre last night with his hit comedy show ‘Tragedy Plus Time’, but before that, he made a quick trip to The Black Tap pub for a preshow pint.

On his Facebook page, the comedian said: “Tonight’s preshow print is a ‘Black Bull’ Black Rye IPA by Grateful Deaf Brewery in The Black Tap, Redditch with regular Midlands drinking stalwarts Sarah and Roy.”

Staff at the popular bar were shocked to spot the famous face at the bar with owner, Susan Rooms, unable to recognise him at first.

Ms Rooms, 42, said: “He is a really nice guy, and I had a lot of fun with him when I served him at the bar. I wasn’t sure who he was at first and had to ask one of my staff, but when I found out, it was a huge shock.

“I even made a joke with him at the bar as I thought he was American when he asked for a receipt, so no wonder he looked so confused when I said it.

“I got told later by one of my regulars that he even mentioned The Black Tap at his gig last night. I wish I’d have got tickets to the show.”

Ms Rooms said she had a lot of customers before the show started but decided to close up at around 10.50pm when the rain came as she didn’t expect any more visitors.

But as soon as the show ended, crowds of people came into the pub and there wasn’t a free seat in the house.

She added: “Ed telling everyone he came here before the gig must have made people stop off at the pub on the way back from the show.

“It was great publicity and he’s more than welcome to come back for a pint on the house.”

Ms Rooms said her regulars loved the performance with the comedian also receiving praise in his social media comments for his "brilliant show", which explores the loss of his younger brother and comedy director, Paul Byrne, who died in 2022 aged 44.

It had previously received a five-star rating at the Edinburgh Fringe with the show heading to New York next month.