Global Talent Directory

Comedians from United Kingdom

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

327 comedians

Alan Davies

Alan Davies, born in England, works as an actor, television presenter, stand-up comedian, and author. Born on March 6, 1966, in Loughton, Essex, he spent his childhood in Chingford. His early life was marked by significant loss; his mother died from leukemia when he was only six years old, and he was subsequently raised by his father and paternal grandparents. Davies attended Staples Road School and Bancroft's School before pursuing further education at Loughton College of Further Education and the University of Kent at Canterbury, graduating in 1988. These formative experiences, including experiencing sexual abuse from his father between ages 8 and 13, contribute to the material he draws upon in his comedy. In 1988, Davies launched his professional comedy career with performances at the Whitstable Labour Club. He quickly gained recognition, being named Time Out's Best Young Comic in 1991. Winning the Edinburgh Festival Critics Award for Comedy in 1994, his show was subsequently distributed on video and cassette in 1995 under the name 'Alan Davies Live at the Lyric'. From 1994 to 1995, he hosted Alan's Big One on Radio 1. He is also known for his appearances on Top Gear in 2001 and 2008, where he achieved times of 1:54 and 1:50.3 respectively. His comedy style is described as both lighthearted and devastating, often drawing from his childhood experiences. Davies’s most prominent roles include starring in the BBC mystery drama series Jonathan Creek from 1997 to 2016, playing the title role. Since 2003, he has been a permanent panelist on the BBC panel show QI , participating since its premiere. Widely recognized as a popular comedian in the United Kingdom, Davies also receives praise from critics for his stand-up comedy. Davies has authored three memoirs: My Favourite People and Me: 1978–1988 , Rebel Without A Clue: How the 80s Made Me , and Just Ignore Him , released in 2020, followed by White Male Stand-Up in 2023. He continues to tour with his stand-up shows, including 'Think Ahead' starting in September 2025, and is currently on an Autumn Tour 2026, which concluded recently. A scheduled show at Soho Theatre Walthamstow is planned for December 4, 2026. His shows, such as Urban Trauma and Life is Pain and Little Victories , have sold out across the UK, and his current show has a running time of two hours and ten minutes including an interval, and is recommended for ages 16+. The show includes discussion around abuse.

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Bill Oddie

William Edgar Oddie, a well-known comedian and naturalist, began life on July 7, 1941, near Rochdale, Lancashire. Following his early years, he moved to Birmingham. His father, Harry Oddie, held the position of assistant chief accountant, while his mother, Lilian, faced significant health challenges, being diagnosed with schizophrenia and spending much of Oddie’s youth hospitalized. He received his education at Lapal Primary School, Halesowen Grammar School, and King Edward's School in Birmingham, where he demonstrated athletic ability as captain of the rugby union team. His academic pursuits led him to Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he studied English literature and graduated in 1963. Oddie’s early career involved a strong connection with comedy. He participated in Footlights productions at Cambridge University and contributed to a revue called 'A Clump of Plinths,' which evolved into 'Cambridge Circus' and enjoyed performances in London's West End, New Zealand, and Broadway. From 1964 to 1973, he was a cast member of the BBC radio series 'I'm Sorry, I'll Read That Again,' even composing and performing the theme tune as Angus Prune. He put out an album, 'Distinctly Oddie,' in 1967. He used humor by copying songs like 'On Ilkla Moor Baht'at' and 'Andy Pandy.' His fame grew when he joined The Goodies from 1970 to 1982, a comedy group known for funny situations, silly actions, and fast film effects. The Goodies achieved considerable success, including hit singles such as 'Father Christmas Do Not Touch Me/The In-Betweenies,' 'The Funky Gibbon' (which reached number four in the UK charts in 1971), and 'Black Pudding Bertha,' and even won the Silver Rose at Montreux TV Festival in 1972 for the episode 'Kitten Kong'. From the mid-1970s onwards, Oddie transitioned into a career as a naturalist and television presenter. He wrote articles for publications like British Birds, Birdwatching Magazine, and Birdwatch, beginning with an article about Bartley Reservoir's birdlife in 1962. His work in this field included presenting BBC wildlife programmes such as 'Springwatch', 'Autumnwatch', 'How to Watch Wildlife', 'Wild in Your Garden', 'Birding with Bill Oddie', 'Britain Goes Wild with Bill Oddie', and ‘Bill Oddie Goes Wild.’ He also hosted shows like 'The Great Bird Race,' 'The Great Kenyan Bird Safari,’ and ‘Oddie in Paradise.' His book 'Little Black Bird Book' (1980) became a bestseller, employing a humorous style. He starred in the 1985 BBC Nature Watch special, 'Bill Oddie - Bird Watcher,' and continued to present shows like 'Birding with Bill Oddie' and 'Bill Oddie Goes Wild' into the early 2000s. The Goodies toured Australia in 2005. William Edgar Oddie died on July 25, 2026.

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Chris Emmett

Chris Emmett is a British actor and comedian born December 13, 1938, in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. He is recognized for his extensive work in radio comedy, particularly his involvement with The Burkiss Way (1976-1980) and Alison and Maud (2002-2004). Emmett’s career began early, and he frequently appeared in series featuring Roy Hudd, including The News Huddlines , The Newly Discovered Casebook of Sherlock Holmes , Huddwinks , and Crowned Hudds . He also contributed to the show Week Ending and appeared in sketches on the television game show 3-2-1 . His association with Roy Hudd spanned a significant period, co-starring in 'The News Huddlines' for 25 years and appearing in other shows such as 'Huddwinks' and 'Crowned Hudds'. Emmett’s comedy style appears to have encompassed both sketch and character work. He was a cast member of The Burkiss Way , where he sometimes used the alias ‘Eric Pode of Croydon’. A specific episode, "Lesson 6," initially considered too short for broadcast, may have included a sketch parodying a speech by Harold Macmillan, with Emmett possibly impersonating Macmillan himself. In 2003, he played Kenny Truman, an old disc jockey seeking employment at Gleam FM, in a BBC Radio 4 comedy episode titled Talking to One Person from Smelling of Roses . The political sketch comedy series The News Huddlines , which began in 1975, also benefited from his contributions. Censorship affected two episodes, Lessons 28 and 47, during their first repeat. Beyond radio, Emmett’s work extended to television. He was part of the ITV series Phil Cool (1992), a show featuring a mix of stand-up comedy and sketch comedy written by Phil Cool. The series, which comprised five episodes and directed by Alistair Clark, involved impressions of British celebrities. Paul Spencer produced the studio-based program, which aired beginning August 1, 1992. Emmett is also a member of the Grand Order of Water Rats and served as King Rat at some point. His career demonstrates a consistent presence in British comedy across various platforms for several decades.

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Damon Scott

British performer Damon Scott first entered the spotlight by competing in the debut series of ITV’s variety show Britain’s Got Talent. He became widely recognized for his monkey‑puppet acts, a routine that earned him the nickname “The Monkey Man,” a title later adopted for a BBC documentary about his career.

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Horace de Vere Cole

Horace de Vere Cole, born on May 5, 1881, in Ballincollig, County Cork, Ireland, was a British comedian known for his elaborate and often audacious pranks. He hailed from a wealthy family; his father, William Utting Cole, served as an officer in the third Dragoon Guards and tragically died of cholera in India. His mother, Mary de Vere, inherited property and was connected to politician Sir Stephen de Vere, making him a great-nephew of Anglo-Irish poet Aubrey de Vere. From a young age, Cole's life involved significant transitions; he attended Eton College as a boarder at ten years old and later suffered permanent hearing damage due to diphtheria. While his family background suggested a traditional path, he ultimately chose to pursue comedy instead of a military career, briefly attending Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1902. He served as a lieutenant in the Yorkshire Hussars during the Second Boer War (1900), experiencing a wound that required recuperation in Kroonstad. Notably, he donated his resulting disability pension (£1,800) to war widows and orphans. His most famous exploit was the Dreadnought hoax of 1910, where he and an accomplice posed as an Abyssinian prince and successfully gained a tour of the HMS Dreadnought. While at Cambridge, Cole and a friend, Adrian Stephen, further honed their skills by impersonating the Sultan of Zanzibar, fooling the Mayor's office and community into granting them a formal reception and tour, nearly exposed when a missionary attempted to communicate in the Sultan’s native tongue. He was fined £5 for a breach of the peace following a prank involving Oliver Locker-Lampson, and in 1919, he famously dropped horse manure onto Venice's Piazza San Marco. Financial considerations also played a role in his life; he inherited West Woodhay House in Berkshire in 1906 but sold it in 1912 due to upkeep costs.

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Jack Dee

Born in Bromley, Kent on September 24, 1961, James Andrew Innes is an English entertainer who uses the stage name Jack Dee. He works as a comedian, actor, presenter, and writer. His parents are Rosemary (née Stamper) and Geoffrey Dee. He attended several schools including The Pilgrims' School, Montgomery of Alamein School, Frensham Heights School, and Peter Symonds' College. Initially intending to pursue drama college, he instead worked as a waiter. In 1988, Jack Dee launched his career in stand-up comedy with an appearance at The Comedy Store's open mic nights, marking his first public performance, and he began performing professionally around the late 1980s. Dee's comedy style is characterized by sarcasm, irony, and deadpan humour, often delivered with a grumpy persona. He gained prominence on television in the early 1990s, winning the British Comedy Award for Best Stage Newcomer in 1991. He hosted The Jack Dee Show starting in February 1992, and released a VHS of 'Live At The Duke Of York’s Theatre' that same year, later made available on DVD in 2004. This show featured routines about craft fairs, pets, driving, and shopping. Further stand-up performances were recorded and released as DVDs, including 'Live At The London Palladium' (2005) with material about becoming a dad, DIY, and eating out, and 'Live And Uncut' (1999), an extended version of the 1997 'Live In London' VHS. The 'Live And Uncut' show included discussions about old people, petrol stations, and living with his wife. Beyond stand-up, Dee has appeared in various television shows and co-founded Open Mike Productions with Addison Cresswell. He starred in Jack and Jeremy's Real Lives (1996) alongside Jeremy Hardy and played Steven Sharples MP in The Deputy (2004). He created and starred in the BBC sitcoms Lead Balloon (2006-2011) and Bad Move (2017-2018). Since 2009, he has chaired I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue , succeeding Humphrey Lyttelton, and continues to host the show. His comedy covers a wide range of topics including sports, food, children, and cults. He has also appeared on Taskmaster and openly discussed his struggles with depression in interviews. Currently, he co-hosts the 'Oh My Dog' podcast with Seann Walsh, and has announced a new tour for 2024-2025. Since the late 1980s, Jack Dee has maintained a professional comedy career, culminating in an honorary degree awarded by the University of Winchester in 2009.

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Jon Richardson

English comedian, actor, and radio presenter Jon Richardson was born in England. Prior to his university studies, Jon Richardson received his early education at Ryelands Primary School and Lancaster Royal Grammar School, which was an all-boys school. He then enrolled at the University of Bristol for a year and a half to study Hispanic Studies. Prior to his comedy career, he briefly worked as a chef. In 2003, Jon Richardson’s career in comedy started when he secured victory in his preliminary round of the BBC New Talent Comedy Search. In 2004, Richardson's growing skills as a comedian allowed him to reach the semi-finals of the Laughing Horse New Act of the Year contest. Richardson’s time at The Comedy Zone during the Edinburgh Festival in 2006 brought recognition. Subsequently, he joined Simon Mayo’s BBC Radio 4 program Act Your Age, serving as a team captain in 2008, and together with Russell Howard, he presented a show on BBC Radio 6 Music from 2009 until March 2010. Richardson’s profile significantly rose when he joined Channel 4’s 8 Out of 10 Cats as a team captain starting in 2011, and he has remained a regular since. He hosted Stand Up for the Week from 2012 to 2014, and also appeared on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown from January 2012. He presented a documentary, A Little Bit OCD , in 2012, which won the 2013 Mind Award. His first stand-up DVD, Funny Magnet , was released in November 2012, and he co-starred with Sean Lock in The Real Man's Road Trip: Sean & Jon Go West (2012). He starred alongside his then-wife Lucy Beaumont in the mockumentary series Meet the Richardsons . Richardson’s last stand-up tour, The Knitwit , was seen by 150,000 people in the UK and Ireland. He is currently filming the second part of Our Yorkshire Pub Rescue documentary series on More 4 and is a shareholder in The Plough, a community-owned pub. He also hosts Second Helpings with Judi Love. He currently hosts The Jon Richardson Show on Absolute Radio and co-hosts the podcasts Jon Richardson And The Futurenauts and Down The Dog . He recently joined the cast of Waterloo Road and is releasing his second book, The Teenage Diaries Of a Stand-Up Comedian , which covers his teenage years from age 14 to 17.

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Milton Jones

His father hails from South Wales. He attended Middlesex Polytechnic, where he earned a diploma in dramatic art in 1985. In 1986, he wed Caroline Church, and together they are the parents of three children; presently, he lives in London's St Margarets district. Jones is known to support Arsenal and is a practising Christian, regularly performing in churches and at Christian festivals. He also serves as a patron for the charity Chance for Childhood. Jones’s comedic performances feature one-liners and wordplay, presented with a detached and subtly anxious delivery. Throughout his career, he has hosted multiple programs on BBC Radio 4, totaling ten series. These include The Very World of Milton Jones (1998–2001), The House of Milton Jones (2003), Another Case of Milton Jones (2005–2011), and Thanks a Lot, Milton Jones! (2014–2024). His radio show has received considerable recognition, including a silver Sony Radio Academy award in 2012 and a Writers Guild Award nomination in 2012. He is often seen as a regular panelist on Mock the Week, and has made two appearances on Live at the Apollo. He also headlined Dave's One Night Stand (DAVE) and performed on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (BBC1). Receiving the Perrier comedy award for best newcomer in 1996, he subsequently earned the Chortle Headliner of the Year title in 2011. Beyond stand-up, Jones has written for television shows such as The One Ronnie , Not Going Out , and Laughing Cow . He authored the novel Where Do Comedians Go When They Die? in 2009, followed by Ten Second Sermons (2011) and Even More Concise 10 Second Sermons (2013), exploring his Christian faith. He has released three live DVDs: Milton Jones – The Universe Tour. Part One – Earth , Milton Jones Live: The Lion Whisperer , and On the Road . He periodically tours the UK, with his 2015 tour, 'Milton Jones and the Temple of Daft,' and 2013 tour, 'On the Road,' each drawing over 100,000 attendees. A television pilot program, ‘The House of Rooms,’ co-written with Dan Evans, was broadcast in 2012. In April 2025, Jones was diagnosed with prostate cancer, leading to cancelled tour dates; he announced he was cancer-free in August 2025 after treatment. He is currently planning a new tour, ‘Milton Jones Is Out There’ and regularly performs at The Comedy Store in London and Manchester.

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Rob Brydon

Robert Brydon Jones, known professionally as Rob Brydon, is a Welsh actor, comedian, and broadcaster. Hailing from Port Talbot, Glamorgan, Rhodri Morgan was born in the village of Baglan, Wales, on May 3, 1965. His parents were Joy Jones, a school teacher, and Howard Jones, a car salesman. John's School in Porthcawl, Dumbarton House School in Swansea, and Porthcawl Comprehensive School, where he participated in the school’s youth theater group. While working as a disc jockey for BBC Radio Wales starting at age 20, Brydon developed his impersonation abilities. He continued his radio work with 'Rave' on BBC Radio 5 from 1992 to 1994 and appeared in the radio comedy 'Satellite City' between 1994 and 1995. His television career gained momentum with roles in 'Human Remains' (2000), co-written with Julia Davis, 'Marion and Geoff' (2000–2003), 'The Keith Barrett Show' (2004–2005), and 'Supernova' (2005–2006). He briefly attended the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama but left after one year. Brydon is perhaps best recognized for his portrayal of Bryn West in the BBC sitcom 'Gavin & Stacey' (2007-2024), earning a BAFTA Award nomination for his performance. He has also enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with Steve Coogan in the 'The Trip' series, including 'The Trip' (2010), 'The Trip to Italy' (2014), 'The Trip to Spain' (2017), and 'The Trip to Greece' (2020). Beyond television, he has appeared in films such as 'Cinderella' (2015), 'The Huntsman: Winter's War' (2016), 'Holmes & Watson' (2019) and 'Barbie' (2023), and has presented shows like 'Would I Lie to You?' since 2009 and 'The Rob Brydon Show' from 2010-2013. For his contributions to comedy and broadcasting, Rhodri Brydon received the appointment of Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2013. He has also done voice-over work for various commercial campaigns including McDonald’s, Domino’s Pizza, and Renault.

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Susy Kane

Born in Dorking, Surrey, England on August 27, 1978, Susy Kane is a multifaceted talent, working as an English actress, comedy writer, and musician. Her family background significantly influenced her career; her father, John Kane, is a former associate artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company and created the sitcom Terry and June , while her mother, Alison Warner, is an opera singer. She also has a brother, Simon Kane, who shares her creative pursuits as both a comedy writer and actor. Growing up in Wandsworth, London, she attended Westminster School after receiving a scholarship for her sixth form year. Her education extended to the University of Edinburgh where she studied Chinese, Art, and Film. Early on, she demonstrated musical talent, beginning to sing in jazz clubs at age 16 and contributing as a musician, playing gypsy fiddle on Charlotte Church’s album Tissues and Issues . Kane's career encompasses a wide range of roles both in front of and behind the camera. Her television credits are extensive, including appearances in Saxondale , Maron , Extras Christmas Special , The Thick of It , The IT Crowd , Lodge 49 , Endeavour , A Touch of Cloth , Death in Paradise , and Agatha Raisin . She has also contributed as a writer, actress, and director to Funny Or Die UK and written sketches for various BBC and ITV comedy shows. Notable acting roles include Pippa in the radio series Bleak Expectations and Andrée Melly in the BBC recreation of missing episodes of Hancock's Half Hour , as well as Caroline Denby in House of Anubis . She also appeared as Cynthia in the film Stan & Ollie (2018) and played Genevieve in Lodge 49 (2019), and starred as Samantha Darling in the Comedy Central pilot Chasers (2019). Beyond acting, Kane’s writing has gained recognition. She wrote event music for the London Eye and her pilot script Jurgatory was sold to FX Channel in 2014. She also narrated the Channel 4 Documentary The Million Pound Holiday Club (2018). Currently, she resides between London and Los Angeles. Her diverse skillset and prolific output demonstrate a sustained commitment to comedy and performance across various media, establishing her as a versatile talent within the entertainment industry.

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Tony Hawks

Tony Hawks, whose professional name is Antony Gordon Hawksworth MBE, is a British individual recognized for his work as a comedian, writer, musician, and someone who contributes to charitable causes. Born on February 27, 1960, in Brighton, Sussex, he attended Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School and Brighton College. Hawks began studying drama at the University of Manchester, but he did not finish the program. During the beginning of his career, Hawks performed in the West End production of 'Lennon – A Musical Biography' at The Astoria. He is frequently mistaken for Tony Hawk, the American skateboarder, an occurrence that has become a recurring theme in his work. Hawks gained significant recognition in 1988 as leader of Morris Minor and the Majors with their UK chart hit 'Stutter Rap (No Sleep til Bedtime),' which reached number four. The song sold 220,000 copies and achieved even greater success in Australia, reaching number two. Following this success, he starred in and wrote the television series 'Morris Minor's Marvellous Motors' in 1989. He also performed a warm-up act for ‘Red Dwarf’ before recording began, eventually appearing in several episodes as a voice artist and in supporting roles. Hawks has consistently appeared on BBC Radio 4, notably in the 'Big Fun Show' in 1988, and frequently contributes to panel games such as 'I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue', 'Just a Minute', 'The Unbelievable Truth', and 'Have I Got News for You'. Hawks is also a bestselling author, having written seven books. The book 'Round Ireland with a Fridge,' published in 1998 by Tony Hawks, describes his journey hitchhiking across Ireland with a refrigerator to fulfill a wager; it achieved sales exceeding 1 million copies by April 2026. Subsequently, he wrote 'Playing the Moldovans at Tennis,' which chronicles his effort to defeat each player on the Moldova national football team in tennis, also originating from a bet. Both books have been adapted into films. His other published works include 'One Hit Wonderland' and 'A Piano in the Pyrenees'. Half of the royalties earned from 'Playing the Moldovans at Tennis' are contributed by Hawks to a fund benefiting the Hippocrates Centre, a medical facility offering therapeutic services for children with disabilities, established in August 2000. He actively supports the Hippocrates Children’s Centre through fundraising and personal involvement. He has given a TED talk on 'Making Billionaires History' and co-founded the Tennis For Free campaign.

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Windsor Davies

Windsor Davies, born August 28, 1930, in Canning Town, east London, passed away at the age of 88. His parents, Anyan Davies and Maggie (née Jones), were Welsh speakers and moved back to Nant-y-Moel in Ogmore Vale in 1940. From 1950 to 1952, Davies served with the East Surrey Regiment in Libya and Egypt, where he developed a talent for mimicry, following previous work as an electrical fitter and engineer in a factory. Subsequently, he chose to pursue further education, first attending Bangor Teacher Training College and then Richmond College in 1961. Having become qualified as a teacher, Davies went on to teach Maths and English at Mountside School in Leek, and later moved to Elephant and Castle, London. Davies’s acting career began with appearances in television series throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, including Doctor Who , Coronation Street , and The Onedin Line . He appeared in The Pot Carriers in 1962 and had roles in Dixon Of Dock Green and Z Cars between 1965 and 1974. His first major role was as Bill Morgan in the ATV series Probation Officer . He is perhaps best known for playing Battery Sergeant Major Tudor Bryn 'Shut Up' Williams in the BBC sitcom It Ain't Half Hot Mum , which ran from 1974 to 1981. While teaching, he often employed phrases like 'Shut Up!!' and 'Oh dear, how sad, never mind', and sometimes addressed his students as a 'bunch of poofs'. He also starred in the Welsh cult film Grand Slam (1978) as Mog Jones, and appeared in two Carry On films: Carry on Behind (1975) and Carry on England (1976). In 1975, Davies unexpectedly reached number one in the UK charts with Don Estelle for their recording of 'Whispering Grass'. He also voiced Sergeant Major Zero in the animated show Terrahawks from 1983 to 1986. His career continued with roles in The New Statesman , 2point4 Children , Casualty , and My Family . He appeared in Never The Twain from 1981 to 1991, playing Oliver Smallbridge, and participated in a recording of Under Milk Wood in 1988. He was married to Eluned for 62 years, until her death in September. Windsor Davies’s career spanned several decades and encompassed a wide range of roles, demonstrating his versatility as an accomplished actor.

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