I USED to enjoy watching Ardal O'Hanlon as he introduced guests on TV's The Comedians. I even endured the excruciating scripts of My Hero because his delivery was always right on cue.

But the task he appears to have set himself now will be a much tougher challenge than either of those programmes.

Mr O'Hanlon, it seems from a weekend appearance at Cheltenham's Everyman Theatre, would don the mantle of the incomparable Dave Allen.

The clues were all there on the stage before the man himself. The table with the glass of water. The microphone. The pop art silhouette.

What was missing, though, was that cutting edge that made Allen a household name.

O'Hanlon managed an easy rapport with his audience which made for a pleasant enough evening, but if he is to fill the great man's shoes he needs a heap of new material. The odd sideswipe at the Catholic church and George Bush was not enough to convince.

It would be remiss not to mention comedienne Julia Morris who was also on the bill. The Australian was a delight - risque, yes, but avoiding the coarseness of a Jo Brand or Ruby Wax. Great fun. Review by TONY DONNELLY