IF laughter is indeed the best medicine, there’s a particularly healthy season in store this autumn at Lighthouse, Poole.

From top stars such as Rhod Gilbert and Jimmy Carr, to the comedy legend that is Ben Elton and rising stars like Steve Bugeja and Carl Hutchinson, there’s no need to be short of something to smile about at Lighthouse over the coming months.

1. The Coastal Comedy Colossal Show with Tom Stade on Saturday, October 5, at 8pm.

A special triple bill edition of the monthly comedy club with slick Canadian rock ‘n’ roll stand up Tom Stade topping the bill. Regular TV show panellist Zoe Lyons and emerging star Ben Norris complete the line up compered, as ever, by Adrienne Coles. Over 18s only.

2. Coastal Comedy, Saturday, October 12, 8pm with Dane Baptiste.

Headliner is the provocative Dane Baptiste who in 2014 became the first black British act to be nominated for a Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe. He’s supported by everyday cynic Mike Cox and the very tall Rob Mulholland.

3. Rhod Gilbert: The Book of John, Saturday, October 19, 7.30pm

Following a seven-year break from the live scene, Rhod returns with a brand-new show that he promises is raw, personal and brutally honest. "No more lies," he says.

4. Black Cherry Improv, Saturday, October 26 and Saturday, November 30, 8pm

The brilliantly versatile locally based improvisation experts tackle another night of making up who knows what… but they promise it will be hilarious.

5. Gary Delaney: Gagster’s Paradise. Wednesday, November 6, 7.45pm

Britain’s leading one-liner comic returns with an onslaught of lean, expertly crafted gaggery – his shows are renowned in the business for their sheer volume of high-class gags.

6. Ben Elton, Friday, November 8, 7.30pm

Hailed as the Godfather of modern stand up, Ben is back on the road for the first time in 15 years with a new show that he promises will try to make sense of a world that appears to have gone stark raving mad.

7. Steve Bugeja, Saturday, November 9, 8pm

The host of Radio 4’s Economics with Subtitles returns with Single Mum, his follow up to four critically acclaimed solo shows – all written after he was voted ‘Most Likely to Return as a Teacher’ at school in 2009.

8. Christmas with Steptoe & Son, Friday, November 15, 7.45pm.

A seasonal visit to 23 Oil Drum Lane where Albert and Harold, united by blood over all else, are doomed to spend Christmas with each other. These much-loved episodes of Galton and Simpson’s classic comedy have been newly adapted for the stage.

9. Stewart Francis: Into the Punset, Wednesday 20 November, 7.30pm

The star of Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo and Crackerjack embarks on a brand-new show in this his last tour. Ever. See him before he heads off… Into the Punset!

10. Carl Hutchinson: I Know I Shouldn’t Behave Like This…Saturday, December 7, 8pm

Geordie comedian Carl Hutchinson is back with a new show in which he applies his uniquely adolescent approach to grown up issues like buying a house and having kids. Age guidance: 16+

11. Jimmy Carr: Terribly Funny, Thursday, December 12, 7.30pm

Jimmy’s latest show contains jokes about all kinds of terrible things that might have affected you or the people you know and care about. "But they’re just jokes, " says Jimmy. "They are not the terrible things."