Jack Whitehall is coming to Dubai to perform in January

The comic is bringing his 'Stood Up' tour to the Dubai World Trade Centre

British comedian Jack Whitehall is coming to the UAE to perform as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival in January. Courtesy DSF 

British comedian Jack Whitehall is bringing his Stood Up tour to Dubai in January, as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival.

The comic, who is well known for his Netflix show Jack Whitehall: Travels with My Father, will perform on Thursday, January 14 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

Whitehall, 32, was due to perform in the UAE earlier this year, but the gig was postponed owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"I tried to come here in March to end my tour but the pandemic got in the way. Finally we have been able to reschedule," Whitehall says of the gig, adding: "Dubai, I will see you all at the World Trade Centre on January 14."

Organisers GME Events have said in a statement that "the show will follow strict Covid-19 social distancing guidelines with multiple measures being put in place to ensure the safety of everyone attending".

Ahead of the announcement, The National caught up with the comedian on Zoom, to chat about his show. Whitehall recalled performing his first international gig in Dubai "a long time ago", which he says he brought his mum and dad along for.

"I am trying to keep that part of the Dubai Shopping Festival on the down-low, because if my mum gets wind of that, she'll be on the flight again," he jokes.

Whitehall last performed in Dubai 12 years ago, when he was only 20, at The Laughter Factory comedy night. The Laughter Factory's Gail Clough remembers a young Whitehall as "such a polite young man", saying "he smashed every night".

The comic has said that incorporating jokes and observations about the pandemic into his show feels "inevitable", so he will be bringing an updated version of his well-toured Stood Up routine to the UAE.

Jack Whitehall's 'Stood Up' at Dubai World Trade Centre; Thursday, January 14; ticketing and show times to be announced