Editing Ben Elton (section)

=== Stand-up comedy ===
In 1981 Elton was hired by [[The Comedy Store (London)|The Comedy Store]] in London as [[Master of ceremonies|compère]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author=Guardian Staff |date=2000-05-24 |title=Ben Elton: from Peter Pan to Maybe Baby |url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2000/may/24/1 |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref>

He made two albums of comedy, ''Motormouth'' (1987) and ''Motorvation'' (1988).

In 2005 Elton toured for the first time since 1997, touring the UK with ''Get a Grip''. He toured Australia and New Zealand with the same show in 2006.

In September 2019, Elton embarked on a three-month UK stand-up tour, his first tour since 2005.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thevoiceoflondon.co.uk/ben-eltons-first-tour-in-15-years/|title = Ben Elton's first tour in 15 years!|date = 7 December 2018}}</ref>

The New Zealand leg of the tour was interrupted in February 2020 by the [[COVID-19 pandemic]]. He resumed it over a year later once trans-Tasman quarantine-free travel was launched.<ref name="stuffMay2021">
{{cite web
 |last1=Schulz
  |first1=Chris
  |title=Ben Elton on his NZ tour: 'I'm coming raw and ready' 
  |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/arts/300300414/ben-elton-on-his-nz-tour-im-coming-raw-and-ready
  |website=Stuff
  |date=6 May 2021
 |access-date=22 May 2021}}
</ref>

In 2022, his sell-out UK stand-up final show was held at the [[Palace Theatre, Westcliff-on-Sea|Palace Theatre Southend]]. It was filmed for broadcast on free to air, [[Channel 4]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Steve |title=Ben Elton and James Acaster's stand-up specials air this week : News 2023 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2023/12/10/54662/ben_elton_and_james_acasters_stand-up_specials_air_this_week |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=www.chortle.co.uk |language=en}}</ref> 

His stand up tour "Authentic Stupidity" toured the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in 2024 and 2025, touching on themes of AI and generational shifts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-10 |title=Ben Elton - Authentic Stupidity Tickets - London Theatre {{!}} West End Theatre |url=https://www.westendtheatre.com/229828/shows/ben-elton-authentic-stupidity-tickets/ |access-date=2024-06-11 |website=www.westendtheatre.com |language=en-GB}}</ref>