Comedian Eddie Izzard will appear at the Cambridge Union next month, arguing for Britain to ‘Remain’ in the European Union, in a televised event to be hosted by the University of Cambridge.

The writer and actor will put his arguments forward, before debating the issues with audience members and taking questions live via Twitter, using the hashtag #standupforeurope, on 12th June from 2pm–3.30pm.

The 54-year-old stand-up comedian has in the past credited the EU with helping the continent to maintain peace since the Second World War and claimed that it gives Europe “a better chance of staving off the threat from terrorism”.

He is known for performing stand-up in a number of languages including Russian and Arabic, languages which he does not speak. He performed his most-recent show Force Majeure in French, German and Spanish.

Izzard explains: “I am positive and passionate about Europe. Not just because of the positive economic case – which is persuasive – but because of what Europe stands for”.

Izzard's planned appearance in Cambridge is part of his ‘Stand Up For Europe’ campaign, which will see him visit 31 cities in as many days.

As part of the tour, Izzard will also be urging students to register to vote before the 7th June deadline. He was spotted last Thursday in Cambridge, spreading the ‘Remain’ message. Alongside local Labour MP Daniel Zeichner, Izzard spoke to members of the public outside the Grafton Centre about why he believes the UK should stay in the European Union.

He said that it was a “neck-and-neck race” and urged everyone, particularly young people, to make sure they were registered to vote. “The polls show the elderly are more likely to vote than the young but they are more likely to vote leave,” he said, “Therefore the young must register and vote to correct that age range imbalance”.

 “If they don’t, I believe a whole generation will regret it forever,” he argued.

Izzard followed his visit to the city centre with a special three-hour show at Cambridge Junction.

The American television channel CNN is set to broadcast excerpts of the Cambridge show via its international channel, to some 315 million households around the world.

Tickets to the event are free, and are open to all students of the University of Cambridge – including non-Union members. They will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and admission to the event will be on the production of a valid student ID card.