DODGY hairstyles, outrageous stage costumes, bellowing vocals, stomping 70s Glam Rockers Slade were one of the biggest bands in the land when Noddy Holder penned the catchiest Christmas pop song ever.

Come on, who hasn’t been to a festive knees-up without hearing Merry Xmas Everybody?

Slade’s feel good tune is still as much part of the festive institution as turkey and all the trimmings.

“I never get tired of hearing it, it still sounds as good today as it did then,” said Holder, whose November appearance at Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre will provide one of the highlights of the venue’s autumn season.

Actor, roadie in Bob the Builder and a mascot for Nobby’s Nuts, Holder will be charting the rise of Slade from the streets of Wolverhampton to superstardom with his characteristic wit at a special spoken word event at the Ribble Valley venue on November 18.

Mark Ellen, the man who presented Live Aid to the world, will also be talking about his colourful life in the music business at a one-off show at the York Street venue.

Ellen, who presented the Old Grey Whistle Test for the BBC for five years, said: “My new book – Rock Stars Stole My Life – is hilariously indiscreet in places, so if you want to find out who spent half a million pounds a week hiring a private jet or what it was like to interview Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Phil Spector or Lady Gaga, it would be great to see you at the Grand in October.”

It has been quite a journey for Clitheroe band Good Foxy and they will launch their new album at the Grand in September.

Mark Bolan was the king of glam rock and doppelgangers T Rextasy make a welcome return as they they celebrate Bolan’s 70s mega hits, including Jeepster, 20th Century Boy and Telegram Sam.

Wishbone Ash will also be winding back the clock nearly half a century, showing why they still retain their reputation as one of the busiest bands in rock with an appearance at the Grand in November.

Wishbone Ash influenced groups from Thin Lizzy to Iron Maiden with classic tracks, The King Will Come, Throw Down The Sword and ‘Blowin Free.

Scots’ rockers Big Country will stopping off at the Grand again in November, so get ready to hear those classic hits that made the lads from Dunfermline one of the best loved live acts in the land.

And fellow countrymen – King, King – one of the hottest draws in British Blues rock will be cranking out their killer songs when they make their Grand bow in October.

Meanwhile, The Fall’s long association with Clitheroe continues as Mark E Smith’s band The Fall return to the theatre two years after their last show.

The Fall, one of the late John Peel’s favourite bands, have since recorded a single at the theatre, and, remarkably, released their 31st album, Sub Lingual Tablet.

If you love comedy then the Grand will have you laughing in the aisles.

Rochdale cowboy Mike Harding will be delving in to the archives to celebrate the publication of his autobiography, The Adventures of the Crumpsall Kid.

Expect a shedload of hilarious tales from the poet, songwriter, playwright, comedian and broadcaster, described by Billy Connolly as the funniest man in England.

Stand-up comedy at the Grand has been a sell-out success since its launch earlier this year and the next instalment of Clitheroe Comedy Club’s laugh-a-minute evening sees funny men Rob Deering, Howard Read and Tony Burgess, who plays Troy in TV show Ideal, tickling the chuckle muscles.

For full details of all the events at Clitheroe’s Grand Theatre. Box office: 01200 421599 or www.thegrandvenue.co.uk