Comedy news: Lee Evans to sue Jongleurs comedy clubs for £50,000

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Comedian Lee Evans is suing Jongleurs for £50,000 after claiming that the chain of comedy clubs has used pictures of him without his consent. 

According to the Daily Telegraph, laywers for Evans have filed papers in the High Court suing for copyright infringement after the Jongleurs comedy club at the Waterfront complex in Bournemouth used photos of the comedian to promote their club.

Lawyers acting on Evans’ behalf have claimed that - due to his Hollywood success and efforts not to endorse corporate events over the entirety of his career - the comedian would never even wish to play at the club, which has creating a false image of it’s ability to attract headline stars of the comedy circuit by using promo shots taken by photographer Ray Burmiston over a 10-year period as part of its marketing campaign.

Describing Evans as an ‘international celebrity, actor and musician who enjoys huge critical and commercial success as a stand-up comedian", lawyers have said that the apparent celebrity endorsement is particularly damaging to their client, who sees no alternative but to seek legal action. 

Evans, who has appeared in a number of high profile films including the Ben Striller comedy ‘There’s Something About Mary’ which also starred Cameron Diaz, Lee is also the star of the Channel 4 series, The World of Lee Evans.

Evans has said that as a matter of principle, he has never accepted offers to perform at corporate events, nor ever commercially endorsed any product, making the Jongleur’s actions particularly damaging.