With his great mate and comedian warming the room nicely for him, actor, author and activist Ricky Tomlinson was the headline draw at the  Cheltenham Regency Hotel.

After decades entertaining the nation in TV shows ranging from Brookside to the Royle Family, films and on stage, the former plasterer, comedian and raconteur knows how to hold an audience.

Fellow Liverpudlian and best mate, comedian Gary Skyner, broke the ice nicely at the event, organised by Gloucester-based Aitch and Aitch Bee.

Mr Skyner also touched on the documentary in the making been making - part funded by Mr Tomlinson - which documents his life as a thalidomide survivor, called 60 Years On.

Thalidomide caused damage to the babies of mothers given the drug in the 1950s and 1960s. Mr Tomlinson said he was in awe of Mr Skyner's determination to embrace life and continued call for answers for all survivors.

It was a zest for life which saw the pair involved a fundraising swim of the icey waters of Loch Ness - just one of the tales regaled by the duo (find out more here). Loch Ness, with its famous associations with a mysterious creature haunting its waters, because Mr Skyner was called a 'monster' when he was growing up.

Mr Tomlinson then took centre stage, delving into his own fascinating life story, touching on his political views, love of his family, astonishment with the world of Hollywood, and personal library of showbiz-related tales.

Sponsored by Moose Marketing and PR and Punchline-Gloucester.com the afternoon proved a hit, and also raised money for a number of good causes in the county.

Gloucester-based Aitch and Aitch Bee Events is due to host three sport-related gatherings from early 2019 onwards.

On Tuesday, February 19, it is hosting a Wales verses England preview dinner with special guests Will Carling OBE and Robert Jones MBE at Pittville Pump Rooms, Cheltenham.

On Friday, March 1, there is a St David's Day lunch with none other than Welsh legend Phil Bennett OBE, at The Daffodil, Cheltenham, and on St George's Day a lunch with legend of the cricketing world, Henry Blofeld OBE, at Blackfriars in Gloucester.

For more details about the above, and Aitch and Aitch Bee's other forthcoming events, call Helen Hartery-Brown on 07766 027272, email helen@aitchandaitchbee.buzz  or visit www.aitchandaitchbee.buzz .