The lady and I saw Dara O'Briain at the Hay Festival of Literature last year. We arrived late and were ushered very quietly down to the only space left, in the front row VIP area. He ought to have absolutely murdered us but let us off the hook. Top stand up too.
We saw Ross Noble last year too. He was great, but we were a bit disappointed with the amount of time he devoted to this pissed up couple of smart arses near the front.
I still don't believe anybody's bettered Bill Hicks for sheer brilliance, however. He'd have made absolute legendary status over the last ten years.