2020 and 2021 were years to forget in terms of live events, as Covid-19 and the subsequent Govt restrictions left theatres and venues empty.

But 2022 is on course to deliver a much better year for events industry with many events planned across Shropshire.

While the coronavirus nightmare is by no means over – and more restrictions are never far away from people's minds – venues all over the county are preparing for the new year with big names and even bigger personalities billed for 2022.

They include masters of live music, top class comedians, and talks by prominent broadcasters at Theatre Severn, Shrewsbury.

January 2022 sees big names come to Shrewsbury with Omid Djalili on January 22 and Ed Byrne on January 30. Other famous acts include Henning Wehn on February 22 and 23, Dame Edna legend Barry Humphries on May 3 and Have I Got News For You stalwart Paul Merton on May 30.

In Oswestry, the Attfield Theatre was forced to postpone its Christmas show after a cast member contracted Covid, but it already has events lined up for the new year.

Among them is April In Paris, a play by John Godber, which runs from March 7 to 12, and Harold Brighouse's Hobson's Choice from May 16 to 21.

For modern day music fans, there are many live music events of different genres which cater to different tastes. These include Hits of Motown on February 18, 60s Big Night Out on February 25 and a tribute to Queen on May 27.

Fans of musicals will be able to look forward to classics like Grease.

Visitors to Theatre Seven will be able to see England’s 1966 World Cup winner and hat-trick hero, Sir Geoff Hurst on February 20 and famous explorer, Ray Mears on February 22.

For literature fans, Burns Night is intended to go ahead at the Stonehouse Brewery in Oswestry on January 22. At Booka Bookshop in Oswestry, people will get to see novelist, Sally Hinchcliffe, author of Hare House on January 27 and Jo Browning Wroe, author of A Terrible Kindness on February 22.

For classical music fans, The Whittington Music Festival will be held at Whittington Church from Thursday May 19 to Sunday May 22 2022.

Shropshire will host Camp Bestival for the first time ever this August. It will take place at Weston Park and last from August 18 till August 21. Visitors will be able to see live music, theatre shows, wellbeing workshops, circus spectacles and enjoy the food and drink on offer.

Finally, the 2022 Shrewsbury Folk Festival is scheduled for next year’s August Bank Holiday 2022 on 26th and 29th of that month.