Global Talent Directory

Comedians from United Kingdom

The comedian directory for United Kingdom: profiles, bios, photos and social links.

266 comedians

Adrian Plass

Adrian Plass, born in 1948, hails from Tunbridge Wells, England. He is a writer known for his distinctive brand of Christian humour. Before pursuing writing as a career, Plass worked as a residential child care worker, an experience that informed his later work. His journey began with early talks and sketches compiled in books like 'Cabbages for the King' (1993) and 'Clearing Away the Rubbish' (1988). He is an Anglican, and this faith deeply influences the subject matter of his writing. Plass’s most widely recognized work is the ‘Sacred Diary’ series, which began with 'The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass Aged 37+3⁄4' in 1987. This series, satirizing Christian life, continued with titles such as 'The Horizontal Epistles of Andromeda Veal' (1988), 'The Theatrical Tapes of Leonard Thynn' (1989), 'The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass Christian Speaker Aged 453⁄4' (1994), and 'The Sacred Diary of Adrian Plass, On Tour' (2004). A final instalment, 'Adrian Plass and the Church Weekend', arrived in 2013. He also authored 'Broken Windows, Broken Lives' based on his experiences as a youth worker, and 'Blind Spots in the Bible' (2006), which explores challenging biblical passages. His novella, ‘The Visit’ (1999), about Jesus visiting a church, gained international attention with a 2006 German film adaptation titled ‘Der Besuch’. Further expanding his repertoire, Plass has written novels including 'Silver Birches' (2009), which was adapted into a film, and several others such as 'Still Crazy', 'Bacon Sandwiches and Salvation', 'The Shadow Doctor', 'Shadow Doctor The Past Awaits', and 'Silences and Nonsenses'. Beyond his written works, Plass has also contributed to radio through voicing Father Louis Gilbert in the 'Father Gilbert Mysteries' series from 2001 to 2006. He continues to tour Britain and the world as a speaker. Having initially resided in Tunbridge Wells and Hailsham, he relocated to Yorkshire in 2010 and subsequently to County Durham in 2012. The text references a collaboration with someone named Bridget, and also mentions a poem titled 'A Summer Night’s Dream of Poetry'. Adrian Plass remains an active writer and speaker.

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Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming is a multifaceted entertainer, identifying as both Scottish and American. Born on January 27, 1965, in Aberfeldy, Perthshire, Scotland, his early life was shaped by his father’s profession as the head forester of Panmure Estate near Carnoustie. His education included attending Monikie Primary School and Carnoustie High School. Cumming's career began early, with his television debut occurring in 1984 in ITV Granada’s Travelling Man. He quickly gained recognition for comedic performances, notably forming a comedy duo called Victor and Barry with Forbes Masson, which debuted at the 1984 Edinburgh Fringe. Cumming's versatility is evident across various mediums. He earned a Laurence Olivier Award in 1991 for Best Comedy Performance for his work in Accidental Death of an Anarchist. His stage career continued with significant success, culminating in a Tony Award in 1998 for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Cabaret on Broadway. Beyond theatre, he has made notable appearances in film, including roles in the Spy Kids trilogy from 2001 to 2003 as Fegan Floop and as Nightcrawler in X2 (2003), reprising the role in Avengers: Doomsday (2026). He also demonstrated his creative control by co-directing, co-writing, co-producing, and co-starring in The Anniversary Party in 2001 alongside Jennifer Jason Leigh. Cumming’s television work has been particularly impactful. From 2010 to 2016, his performance in The Good Wife garnered significant praise, resulting in nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and two Golden Globe Awards. More recently, he starred in the Apple TV+ series Schmigadoon! from 2021 to 2023. Beyond his acting career, he has demonstrated creativity as an author; his published works include the novel Tommy's Tale (2002) and two memoirs released in 2014 and 2019. Currently, he hosts and executive produces The Traitors (2023–present), for which he has already won six Emmys.

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Ben Willbond

Ben Willbond is an English actor and screenwriter based in London. He began his career as part of the comedy duo 'Ben & Arn,' who earned recognition with a Perrier Award for 'Best Newcomer' in 1999. Following this success, he performed solo character shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival until 2005. Willbond’s early work also includes forming the musical duo Priorité à Gauche. He has demonstrated versatility throughout his career, appearing in diverse roles ranging from historical figures in Horrible Histories , including Henry VIII and Alexander the Great, to a brief appearance in St Trinian's (2007) and a role in the final episode of Extras . His work on Horrible Histories extends beyond acting, as he has writing credits associated with the show. Willbond’s collaborative efforts have yielded significant successes. He co-wrote the 2015 film Bill with Laurence Rickard, which was released in UK cinemas and marked his debut feature film. Together, they also co-wrote the 2022 television comedy We Are Not Alone . Furthermore, he is recognized as a co-creator of several popular sitcoms. He co-created, wrote, and starred in Yonderland , which premiered in 2013, and subsequently co-created Ghosts (BBC 1) with the team from Horrible Histories . Ghosts has achieved considerable acclaim, earning a Bafta nomination and establishing him as an award-winning actor and screenwriter. He also appeared in the series Good Omens (BBC/Amazon), and has credits including roles in Quacks (BBC) and Playing House (USA Network). Beyond his writing and co-creation work, Willbond’s acting career encompasses a wide range of projects. He had a recurring role as Steve Warwick in the BBC comedy Rev , and played Adam Kenyon in The Thick of It . His film appearances include roles in Imagine Me & You , Starter for Ten , and Bridget Jones Baby . Notably, he starred in the short film Tooty's Wedding (2010), which garnered numerous international comedy awards. He is currently known for portraying The Captain in the BBC sitcom Ghosts , a role he has held between 2019 and 2023. While his professional achievements are plentiful, including winning two Pointless trophies, Willbond also enjoys personal pursuits; he is married and has two sons.

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Bob Mills

Born in England, Robert Edward Mills works as a comedian and broadcaster and has featured on the television series In Bed with Medinner as well as The Show.

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James Herriot

James Herriot is a comedian from United Kingdom, born in 1916. Known for All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, All things wise and wonderful‏.

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Janey Godley

Janey Godley, born Jane Godley Currie on January 20, 1961, in Lennoxtown, Stirlingshire, was a multifaceted Scottish talent. Jane Campion was recognized as a stand-up comedian, an actress, a writer, and a political activist. Her early life was marked by challenges; she left school at 16 without qualifications and her parents, Annie and Jim Currie, faced struggles with alcoholism and addiction. The loss of her mother, Annie, in 1982 under circumstances she believed involved murder, profoundly impacted her. Before finding prominence in comedy, Janey ran a public house, the Weavers Inn, in Glasgow with her husband for fifteen years, starting in 1980 and remaining married to Sean Storrie until her death. Godley launched her stand-up comedy career in 1994. She officially changed her name to Janey Godley in 1995. Her career brought numerous accolades, such as the 'Best Show Concept' award from the New Zealand International Comedy Festival in 2002, and the 'Spirit of the Festival' award in 2006. She documented aspects of her life in her autobiography, Handstands in the Dark , published in 2005. Her acting credits included appearances in television shows like River City , Have I Got News for You , and Traces , as well as a role in the film Wild Rose . In 2020, Janey Godley created a series of short films called Alone . She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and lived with stage 4 ovarian cancer for several years. Her declining health led to the cancellation of her Autumn 2024 tour, a decision she expressed as heartbreaking. Despite being currently hospitalized and very unwell, she expressed gratitude for the support of fans and venue partners, cherishing the memories of performing at various venues throughout her career. She is survived by her daughter, Ashley Storrie, who also works in comedy and radio. Janey Godley died on November 2, 2024, leaving behind thousands of loyal fans.

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John Sessions

John Sessions, a Scottish-born actor and comedian, was born John Gibb Marshall on January 11, 1953, in Largs, Ayrshire. His parents were John and Esme (née Richardson) Marshall; his father worked as a gas engineer, and his mother hailed from Glasgow. Following his birth, the family relocated to Bedfordshire when he was approximately three years old, later moving again to Bedford and St Albans. He had an older brother named Bill and a twin sister named Maggie. Sessions attended Bedford Modern School, Verulam School, and subsequently pursued higher education at the University College of North Wales in Bangor, earning an MA in English literature. He also embarked on doctoral studies focusing on John Cowper Powys at McMaster University in Canada, though he did not complete his PhD. Sessions's professional journey began with training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London in 1979, where he studied alongside Kenneth Branagh. Due to a conflict with another individual named John Marshall registered with Equity, he adopted the stage name John Sessions. In the early 1980s, he gained prominence performing on the comedy circuit through improvised monologues and topping double bills with French and Saunders. His versatility led to appearances in films such as The Sender (1982), The Bounty (1984), and Castaway (1986). He also notably created and starred in the sitcom Stella Street , which launched in 1997 and featured him playing various celebrities. He briefly auditioned for the role of the Eighth Doctor in Doctor Who in 1994. He was initially one of only two regular panellists on Whose Line Is It Anyway? , and continued to appear on the show. He also contributed significantly to the history of QI as a regular panellist, appearing in its first ever episode. His comedic talents extended to voice work on Spitting Image , where he uniquely performed both impressions and puppet roles. Sessions showcased his theatrical abilities in productions like Porterhouse Blue (1987), The Life of Napoleon (1987), and a one-man show about Frederic, Lord Leighton called Paint, said Fred (1996). He passed away on November 2, 2020, in Austin, Texas, at the age of 67, due to a heart condition.

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Keith Allen

Keith Howell Charles Allen, a Welsh native, works as an actor, pantomime performer, comedian, vocalist, author, director, producer and television presenter. He is the father of singer Lily Allen and actor Alfie Allen, and his brother is actor‑director Kevin Allen.

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Paul Whitehouse

Welsh actor, writer, presenter, and comedian Paul Whitehouse, whose full name is Paul Julian Whitehouse, was born. He was born on May 20, 1958, in Stanleytown, Rhondda, Wales, UK. Harry Whitehouse, Paul’s father, held a position at the National Coal Board; his mother, Anita Jones, performed as a singer for the Welsh National Opera. The family moved to England when he was young. Whitehouse’s early career involved musical pursuits; he attended the University of East Anglia from 1976 but dropped out. During this time, he formed the punk rock band The Right Hand Lovers with Charlie Higson, and later, The Higsons. He also worked as a plasterer and decorator at times. A writing partnership with Higson and Harry Enfield began in 1982, leading to appearances on Harry Enfield's Television Programme from 1990 for two series. Whitehouse created characters like Stavros and Loadsamoney for Harry Enfield's shows, and collaborated with Kathy Burke, Bob Mortimer, and Vic Reeves. He is widely recognized for his work in comedy, particularly The Fast Show , which he co-created with Charlie Higson in 1994. The show ran for three series (1994-2001) and earned several awards, including a BAFTA in 1998. Whitehouse played numerous characters within The Fast Show , such as Rowley Birkin QC, Unlucky Alf, Arthur Atkinson, Ron Manager, and Ted. It's Harry & Paul ), which won a BAFTA in 2009. His prolific output includes writing, producing, and acting in Happiness (2001-2002) and Help (2005), where he took on 25 roles. He also appeared in films like Corpse Bride (2005), Alice in Wonderland (2010), and The Death of Stalin (2017), often providing voice acting. In recent years, Whitehouse has enjoyed continued success with the BBC Two series Mortimer & Whitehouse: Gone Fishing , which began in 2018 and is co-presented with Bob Mortimer. The program received six BAFTA TV award nominations and secured the title of Radio Times readers' 2018 TV Champion. He has also written and appeared in Only Fools and Horses on London’s West End, and wrote the script for the stage production in 2021. He has received five BAFTA awards and the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain Award in 2013. Whitehouse is currently slated to play Argus Filch in the upcoming HBO Harry Potter television series.

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Richard Dawson

Richard Dawson, born Colin Lionel Emm on November 20, 1932, in Gosport, Hampshire, England, was a British actor and comedian. His parents had different nationalities; his father was American and his mother was British. He experienced the disruption of World War II, being evacuated from his home along with his brother. Limited by the war, he attended school regularly for only two years. Dawson passed away on June 2, 2012. During this time, he earned almost $5,000. He performed comedy routines in London under the stage name 'Dickie Dawson' and later legally changed his name to Richard Dawson. His early television appearances included a spot on Benny Hill Showcase in June 1954 and several BBC Radio programs in 1954. He appeared on ‘A to Z: D’ with Diana Dors in 1958, and made four appearances on ‘Juke Box Jury’ between 1958 and 1959, three alongside Diana Dors. He married Diana Dors in the late 1950s; they had two sons and divorced in 1967. In September 1961, Dawson moved to the United States. He also appeared in the film King Rat in 1965 and The Devil’s Brigade in 1968. He released a single in 1969 with songs ‘His Children’s Parade’ and ‘Apples & Oranges.’ He was a panelist on Can You Top This? in 1970, and later appeared on Match Game from 1973 to 1978. Dawson hosted Family Feud from 1976 to 1985 and again from 1994 to 1995, becoming known as 'The Kissing Bandit,' 'Dickie,' and 'Kissyface' for his habit of kissing female contestants.

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Stanley Holloway

Stanley Augustus Holloway, an English actor, comedian, singer and monologist, earned acclaim for his humorous and character parts on stage and in movies, most famously as Alfred P. Doolittle in *My Fair Lady*. Over a career that spanned about seventy years, he also became celebrated for performing and recording comic monologues and songs.

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Tony Hancock

Anthony John Hancock, a British comedian, was born on May 12, 1924, in Birmingham. Jack and Lily Hancock (née Thomas) were his parents; his father was employed by a shipping company, while his mother’s father held the position of director at Birmingham City Football Club for a period of 21 years. The family relocated to Bournemouth in 1927, a move intended to improve his health. They operated the Mayo Hygienic Laundry and later the Railway Hotel, which they renamed Durlston Court Hotel after Durlston Court Preparatory School. From 1936, Durlston Court School was part of Hancock's initial schooling, followed by training in typing and shorthand at Bournemouth Municipal College. He began his professional career with a stage debut in 1940, performing under the name 'Anthony Hancock – The Confidential Comic'. Following this, he joined the RAF Regiment in 1942 and entertained troops during the war through Gang Shows. During 1948, he performed with Derek Scott as a double act at the Windmill Theatre; additionally, he featured on radio programs including 'Workers' Playtime' and 'Variety Bandbox'. His comedic style gained prominence through roles in radio shows like ‘Educating Archie’ (1951-1952), where he popularized the phrase “Flippin' kids!”. The radio show 'Hancock's Half Hour' premiered in 1954, followed by the television series in 1956. This series, which comprised 100 radio episodes and 76 TV episodes, became immensely popular, establishing Hancock as the BBC’s most popular entertainer during the 1950s and early 1960s. He won two BAFTA Awards for Light Entertainment Artist in 1958 and 1960, and received a nomination for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Roles for his work in ‘The Rebel’ (1961). A spin-off show called simply Hancock also aired. The character Anthony Aloysius St John Hancock resided at 23 Railway Cuttings, East Cheam. Despite his success, he struggled with depression and self-doubt, as evidenced by conversations recalled during recordings. In 1968, he traveled to Australia to record a new series but was subsequently sent to a drying-out clinic due to excessive drinking, and faced being fired if he consumed alcohol. Sadly, he died by suicide in Sydney, Australia, on June 25, 1968, at the age of 44. The Tony Hancock Society preserves his memory, maintaining the most extensive worldwide collection of recordings and films documenting his life and professional achievements. The society actively searches for missing episodes of Hancock’s Half Hour . Their archive includes scripts, photographs, press cuttings, and digitized materials from productions like The Rebel and The Punch and Judy Man . His sitcom Hancock’s Half Hour is considered unsurpassed in light entertainment, and he is regarded as one of the most popular and influential comedians of the late twentieth century, with Alan Partridge recognized as part of a comedic lineage that includes him. Stories indicate that Hancock guided his writing staff to produce jokes; afterward, he would perform them humorously, stating, “Compose the material; you are the writers. I will provide the comedy; I’m the comedian.”

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