TV star Adam Hills gives Reading institution Sweeney & Todd five stars

It’s a Reading institution and now it’s received high praise, a five-star review from a top telly comic.

Adam Hills, who presents Channel 4’s The Last Leg, was in town on Monday, November 11, for The Big Comedy Bash.

He was appearing at The Hexagon on a bill with Jack Dee, Richard Herring, Ria Lina, Alasdair Beckett-King, and Tony Hawks.

Hosting the night of laughter, he helped raise funds for the annual Slapstick Festival.

The event, held in Bristol, celebrates vintage comedy.

Next year’s event, running from Wednesday, February 12-Sunday, February 16, will be its 20^th anniversary and includes 35 classic, silent and visual film events alongside top-tier comedy performances across Bristol’s venues, including Bristol Beacon, Bristol Old Vic, and the Watershed.

But it was a venue closer to The Hexagon that Adam Hills took to social media to celebrate: Sweeney & Todd in Castle Street.

The ever-popular pie shop and restaurant is a firm favourite with many Reading residents and has been for decades. It is housed in a listed building and, like its namesake, is next to a hairdressers.

It now has a new fan, thanks to Mr Hills.

He said that the venue was recommended to him by members of the audience of The Big Comedy Bash, and not just for the food – June and Craig Hayward, who run the venue, also came in for praise.

Giving it five stars for food, service and atmosphere, he wrote on Google Reviews:

“I’ve never eaten here, but the audience at The Hexagon raved about your establishment. And pies. In particular they mentioned June and Craig, but they really love the pies.

“Did I mention how much they adore the pies?

“And the chips. The cauliflower cheese was a late runner.”

However, there was one problem: it appears he didn’t get to eat there.

Mr Hills’ review continued: “My only advice would be to answer the phone even on your night off.

“Can’t wait to try your food, especially the pies. I’ll eat them until I pop my sock.”