A BRITAIN’S Got Talent winner and royal favourite is to headline a comedy fundraiser to help disabled youngsters in the North-East.

Lee Ridley, known as the Lost Voice Guy, will top the bill at Smile on the Tyne at The Exchange in North Shields on Sunday July 7 for Smile For Life, a charity he is patron of.

The comedian, who has Cerebral Palsy and communicates through an electronic device, recently took part in the Royal Variety Performance, famously making the Duke and Duchess of Sussex Harry and Meghan laugh during his set.

Lee has also starred in Live at the Apollo, broadcast last week to the nation, and has just written his first book ‘I’m Only in it for the Parking: Life and Laughter from the Priority Seats’, but despite his fame has still vowed to make time for the charity very close to his heart.

He said: “I am really looking forward to performing at Smile on the Tyne. It will be a fantastic show in a beautiful venue and hope we can raise lots of money for Smile For Life. The charity does fantastic work and I am proud to be its patron.”

The comedian, from Consett, has been working closely with Smile For Life for three years to help disabled and disadvantaged young people in the region by providing specialist equipment, amazing experiences and work placements in the charity’s Café Beam.

Two months ago he surprised guests at Smile For Life’s annual Ball with a video message congratulating the charity on all of its hard work.

Lee, who won Britain’s Got Talent in June this year, added: “It is incredibly important that young disabled people get all the help they need in life to succeed and Smile For Life is at the heart of that.”

Ridley will be joined by Louise Young, The Mimic Men, who got to the semi-finals of BGT in 2016, BBC presenter, comedian and Hebburn star Steffen Peddie, as well as one of Newcastle’s most famous stand-up comedians Gavin Webster.

Paula Gascoigne, of Smile For Life, said: “Lee has inspired the young people our charity supports to achieve and overcome disability.”

The comedy extravaganza will have two shows on July 7 at The Exchange in Howard Street, one at 3pm suitable for families and one for 16s and over at 7pm.

Tickets are just £15, or £10 for concessions, or a family ticket, for two adults and two children, is £45. To book call: ticketsource.co.uk/theexchange?