DIYWEEK.net

Radio and TV comedian, writer and actor Hal Cruttenden will be hosting the awards dinner at the Garden Centre Association's (GCA) conference next month.
The talented entertainer will host the annual event on Tuesday, January 26 at The Grand Hotel in Brighton.

GCA chief executive Iain Wylie said: "Hal is one of the top comedians working in the UK today, as well as being a highly accomplished writer and actor.

During the past year, Mr Cruttenden has made his second appearance on The Royal Variety Performance, has hosted Live at the Apollo and was the guest comic in the final of The Great British Bake Off: An Extra Slice. He has also appeared on TV programmes Would I Lie To You?, Have I Got News For You, Sunday Night at the Palladium, Mock The Week, Pointless Celebrities, Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled and wrote and performed in his own Radio 4 sitcom titled Hal.

The comedian has been nominated for the prestigious Perrier and The Chortle Awards and his recent tour - Tough Luvvie - saw him perform 170 dates.

Having originally trained at the Central School of Speech and Drama, his acting career has included roles on TV including 'Shackleton', 'Eastenders', 'Out of the Blue', 'Touching Evil' and 'Bramwell'.

He has also been in the movies 'The Madness of King George' and 'Mrs Dalloway'. In the theatre he has appeared in 'Making News at the Edinburgh Festival' and 'Orwell A Celebration' at Trafalgar Studios London and the Edinburgh Festival.

Mr Wylie added: "We're really looking forward to Hal's appearance and it's not too late to book if you are hoping to attend.

"With a super venue, a great line-up of speakers and plenty of opportunities to catch up with old friends from the industry, this year's conference is set to be a fantastic occasion, especially as it's our golden jubilee in 2016... Sponsorship slots have filled up well too but there are still one or two left so if companies are interested in this, please give me a call."

To book your place, visit the members' section of the GCA website via www.gca.org.uk or call 0118 930 8918

The GCA's annual conference will be held at The Grand Hotel in Brighton from January 24 until 27, 2016. More than 300 delegates are expected to attend the event.