Ellen DeGeneres returns to stand-up comedy after 15 years

Ellen DeGeneres is going back to her roots, launching her first stand-up comedy tour in 15 years in a limited series of shows in August.

The TV talk show host and actress will visit three cities over eight nights, promoters Live Nation said on Thursday.

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DeGeneres, 60, began her career in the 1980s as a stand-up comedian in her home town of New Orlean.

She later launched her comedy show Ellen, in which her character in 1997 came out as gay and became the first openly lesbian character on television.

Since then, the gay rights activist has become one of the most popular talk show hosts in the United States.

The Ellen DeGeneres Show has so far won 30 Emmy Awards. She also twice hosted the annual Oscars ceremony and the Emmy awards show.

DeGeneres did not say why she had decided to return to stand-up after so many years.

However, the shows will form the basis of a Netflix comedy special to be streamed later in 2018.

Her stand-up tour will visit San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle from August 10-23.