Miss London Hughes
Miss London (aka London Hughes) is the winner of this year’s prestigious Funny Women Awards which were held at the Comedy Store in central London. You can see her award winning set by clicking here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/extra/video/p004r20k
It’s been a while since a female voice has taken the UK comedy scene by storm, but 20-year-old Miss London is about to change all of that.
Despite being on the circuit for under a year, the south London comic has already amassed a huge following in celebrity circles and secured a loyal fan base around the UK, which grows bigger by the second.
Miss London nurtured a love for entertainment from childhood spending every spare moment outside of school at an east London dance studio working on new routines with dance crew, Visions. When her family moved to Brighton from London when she was 12, the trained street dancer didn’t put her love for dancing on the back burner, but instead became one of the founding members of Brighton’s first ever hip-hop dance crews, Funk Stars.
Often singled out as the natural comedian within her group of school friends, it wasn’t long before Miss London took her natural flair in comedy to the stage.
The south London teenager began writing plays for talent shows at her college and was taken aback at the rapturous laughter and reception her material received. It was at this point that she realised her true calling in entertainment. When she moved back to London to study television, media and cultural studies at university, she was adamant that she would begin etching out a career in comedy.
When a friend asked her to perform a dance routine at her university’s annual talent show, Miss London saw this as a prime opportunity to trial her one-man comedic skills in front of a captive audience, and asked her friend if it was possible for her to combine the two art forms within her set. Although, confused at such a request, her friend agreed to let Miss London try her hand at comedy on the premise that having her perform one of her famed dance routines was
better than her doing nothing at all.
Not many people would invite seasoned professionals within the field to their first show, but Miss London threw all caution to the wind and invited comedians, Jamie Howard and Little Man to her debut.
“I was performing in front of a sea of people I had never met before and two comedians I love and respect” she recalls.
“If I flopped, I would’ve flopped hard because it would have been very public” she says.
Miss London was an instant hit with the teenage crowd and her two special guests who each told her she was destined for greatness within the comedy circuit. She landed her first paid gig the following weekend at the popular night, The Sunday Show. Subsequent to her performance on stage at the Sunday Show, which has been graced by the likes of fellow comedians, Richard Blackwood and Kat B, the demand for the multi-faceted star, who also has modelling and presenting credits to her name, has been great.
The former TGI Friday’s waitress, who was sacked prior to her life-changing performance at her university, says she has the American fast-food chain to thank for her career in comedy.
“TGI’s enabled me to go into comedy because if I hadn’t got the sack, I would have had to work on the weekend I was scheduled to debut at the Sunday Show. Basically if it hadn’t been for them giving me the sack, I wouldn’t have gotten into comedy” she said.
She also credits moving to London as an integral part to her success, acknowledging that things might not has happened so quickly for her if she had remained in Brighton with her mum and dad who run a hotel at the popular seaside resort.
“London opened a lot of doors for me. Everything I dreamed of doing in Brighton, I’ve done in London.” She said.
The sky is definitely the limit for this young talent who continues to leave an indelible mark in the minds of those who have had the pleasure of seeing her perform.
Harrison Charles
Harrison, only 13 years old, from a shy self conscious boy has developed a confident outgoing young man who loves to perform. Whether he’s entertaining his brothers at home or on stage before an audience it’s the thrill of performance that fuels Harrison’s love for acting and singing.
Currently he enjoys four drama sessions a week at his boarding school, Bradfield College, where he has, in his first year, already played Napoleon in ‘Animal Farm’ and is looking forward to parts in ‘The Canterbury Tales’, the opera ‘Dido and Aeneas’ and ‘Oliver!’ before the end of the academic year. His love of humour came to the fore in his portrayal of Benn Gunn in Treasure Island at Aldro, his Prep School, where he was also Head Chorister. His singing roles in the choir included many solos undertaken with a confidence and maturity that belied his years.
Whoever casts him will work with a warm, willing and honest individual but beware the mimic!
Jake Canuso
Jake Canuso was born in a small village near Zurich in Switzerland to Italian immigrants from southern Italy.
He started his career as a dancer and at the age of 16 became the youngest member of Zurich’s leading contemporary dance company.
What followed was a move to London via Paris and New York and a career that lasted nearly 2 decades, which (as well as helping him become fluent in SIX languages!!!) would see him work with some of the leading choreographers and companies in the world; and eventually taking a more commercial side performing, choreographing and touring the world with some of the world’s biggest recording artists including Annie Lennox, Take That, Elton John and The Spice Girls to name a few.
Jake finally stepped over into acting and over the last few years has built up an extensive CV appearing in films such as ‘‘Piccadilly Jim’’ (Myriad Films / UPI), ‘‘School For Seduction’’ (Ipso Facto Films), Kinky Boots (Mirimax / Columbia), Fly Boys (MGM), ‘‘Russian Dolls’’ (Lunar Films), ‘‘Journal Of A Contract Killer’’ (MJ Films), ‘‘City Rats’’ (Urban Way Productions) and most recently ‘‘Nine’’ (The Weinstein Co. / Sony Pictures) with Daniel Day Lewis and Judi Dench.
Television credits include, ‘‘Keen Eddie’’ (Paramount), ‘‘Hustle’’ (BBC), ‘‘Shameless’’ (Ch4), ‘‘Suburban Shoot Out’’ (Ch5), ‘‘Casualty’’ (BBC) and three series of ITV1’s hit comedy ‘‘Benidorm’‘, for which he is probably best known for his role as the loveable ‘‘Mateo’‘.
Matt Rudge
Matt Rudge is a Filmmaker, Comedian and Writer.
“A fantastic film by Matt Rudge. Warm, funny and perception changing. This will win awards” The Times
“Draws parallels to Louis Theroux and Morgan Spurlock” The Independent
“Commendable” The Guardian
“Brave, bold – and way too short a film” The Guide
“Laugh a minute” The List
“A clearly talented performer” The Scotsman
“Impressive stand up” Three Weeks
“Breezy material, neat lines, all told with upbeat good humour” Chortle
“The purveyor of surreal and acerbic comedy” Venue Magazine
Matt was nominated for the prestigious Broadcast Award for best documentary for his film The Autistic Me in 2009. That year he also directed My Dad The Serial Killer, the story of the family of a convicted murderer, for Channel 4. His four short films 25 Years: appeared on Channel 4 as part of their 25th anniversary celebrations.
Away from filmmaking, Matt’s stand up comedy has appeared at major clubs around the country and regularly at the Edinburgh Fringe. Matt was nominated as Comedian of the Year in England’s biggest comedy festival, the Leicester Comedy Festival. He also beat hundreds of entrants to make it as a finalist in two major new act competitions, Edinburgh’s prestigious Laugh Off 2008, and The Laughing Horse New Act of the Year 2007.
At The Edinburgh Fringe Matt wrote and directed the Sketch show The Gadabouts, playing at The Pleasance Dome and The Pleasance Courtyard, with a sell out run each year. Described as “Excellent” by Time Out and “about as Silly as it gets” by The List. Matt also starred in the comedy show International Stand-Up, featuring three of the best new comedians from Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
Ricky Grover
Multi-award winning actor, comedian, presenter and writer Ricky Grover has an impressive list of TV & film credits and is a hugely popular headline act, on both the national and international comedy circuit. Born and bred in the East End of London, Ricky was an ex-champion boxer and hairdresser before taking the comedy scene by storm. Grover was illiterate until his early thirties but it didn’t stop him from becoming a highly versatile performer able to flit between powerful drama and hilarious comedy, no doubt his improvisational ability is his strongest talent
Ricky’s many television credits include, Black Books (CH4), TV To Go (ITV), ‘Orrible (BBC 2) and Red Dwarf (BBC 2).
Ricky’s film credits include Tony, Cargo, Revolver, Love Honour and Obey, Punch and Hungry.
On the comedy circuit Ricky is perhaps best known and loved for his explosive comic character ‘Bulla’ (gangster and god amongst the London underworld). ‘Bulla’ also appeared as a regular guest on – The 11 o’clock Show and was famously interviewed by Michael Parkinson. (Bulla The Movie is currently in production).
A prolific writer, Ricky has written and starred in two short films, receiving international acclaim. The UK released Punch won him the prestigious Silver Bear Award and Hungry (broadcast on Channel 4) won him the Best Actor Award at the Brest Film Festival.
Ricky also presented F*** Off I’m Fat for the BBC, which grossed the highest viewing figures ever for the channel!
www.youtube.com/bullatv
Chris Moyles
Saviour of Radio One.
Enough said!
www.bbc.com/radio1
To order any of Chris Moyles CDs Click Here
Victoria Larder
Victoria Larder likes grammar having studied English Lit at Cambridge a while ago. Whilst favouring apostrophes and brackets she also enjoys the basic bullet point too.
- Victoria has most recently been heard on air at 95.8 Capital FM presenting solo music shows live from Leicester Sq. She presses her own buttons and everything.
- Victoria can get anyone to admit anything having co-presented ‘The Confessional’ on 3 Bauer radio stations covering Yorkshire. People told her their secrets 5 nights a week for 2 years. She still hasn’t quite recovered from the show where they talked about dogging.
- Victoria has also co-presented a breakfast show and her own Drive-time show on Mercury 966 & can currently be heard as the voice of all Post It products- her favourite being the ‘Post It Desk Grip Dispenser’- because in those times when you only have 1 hand free you can still have that essential Post It ready to use in a matter of seconds!
- Victoria has done TV presenting on BBC’s ‘XChange’ and trained as an actress and singer too.
- Victoria is also a little bit Northern, an identical twin, sexy, cheeky, fun and kind on the eye too.
More of Victoria at: http://www.youtube.com/user/MissVictoriaL#p/a/u/0/ME3VCiaqmMg
Oliver Wilson
Oliver was born in Manchester during the height of the ‘Madchester’ era and was christened in The Hacienda. That set the scene for a life long love affair with music.
As a teenager Oliver became well known in Manchester for his pirate radio shows and the raves he staged in venues across town, something he continued when moving to London for University, putting on gigs and parties across the capital.
As his career in the music industry grew Oliver’s compulsive obessission with new music grew with it, seeing him nurture new acts in London and become involved in festivals in Los Angeles. All the while his love of sport grew too. A life long Manchester United fan and Mechaphile (for those that don’t know that’s someone who falls in love with cars), Oliver can usually be found somewhere between a racetrack and a football stadium on the weekends.
Having recently fronted television shows covering music, politics and motorsport Oliver is looking forward to expanding on all these, and taking his radio career further from his pirate radio roots.
Claire Young
Claire Young shot to fame in series 4 of the smash hit BBC 1 ´The Apprentice´. She was the no-nonsense sales woman who infuriated, then won over viewers to reach the final – becoming the biggest ever bookies favourite to win in Apprentice history. Nicknamed the ´Rottweiler´ for her ability to go after whatever she wants; many admired her non stop drive and were gripped by her transformation throughout the series.
The last 12 months have been a whirlwind for Young and a year later she successfully manages her business and media career. Already running a thriving consultancy advising retailers and manufacturers, Claire has just launched a prestigious venue management company, specialising in weddings, called Elegant Venues (www.elegantvenues.com).
She has lost a whopping 2.5 stone with the help of Fabulous Magazine. Finally free of her well documented back problems (from wearing high heels!) she is an ambassdaor for the posture enhancing MBT trainers.
Claire is a TV natural and continues to commentate on business matters for BBC, GMTV, Sky and Five, Renowned as a chatterbox she particularly enjoys radio; BBC Radio 2, 4 and Five Live. Keen to share her views she is a regular contributor to Glamour Magazine. Having first hand experience of stress in the work place she was thrilled to head a campaign for Wrigleys Chewing Gum about their top tips to survive the working day.
Having shot up the career ladder at a young age she has become a regular on the speaking circuit for her inspiring, motivating and down to earth approach. She is passionate about developing young people and has been involved in many projects; National Apprentice Week, National Council for Graduate Entrepreneurs and has recently become an ambassador for Make Your Mark campain. Claire supports her two charities – Kids Company and Women´s Aid – and is running the British 10km for the latter.
www.claireyoung.com
Richard Williams
Rich presents The Homerun on 96.3 Radio Aire in Leeds, one of Yorkshire’s biggest commercial stations.
Having spent the past 3 years co-presenting the Breakfast show, Rich has taken over Drive Time on the station. He also presents mid mornings on The Hits with a national audience of over 430,000.
Rich has managed to notch up a great deal of media experience. During the summer of 2002, whilst studying politics at university, he took part in a nationwide BBC talent search to find a new CBBC presenter.
Having made it through the early auditions he was chosen from many thousands to take part in MAKING IT, a 16-part live daily show that aired on BBC1. The show saw the final 10 being whittled down to 1 winner, and Rich made it through to the final 5!
The experience of live television proved invaluable to Rich, something he can now add to 5 years of radio experience.
Rich also writes for publications reviewing music and when hes not involved with TV and radio work, his three big passions are music, sport and politics.
Alex Stanger
When not testing the canapé selections of the Cannes film festival – Alex can be found sniffing out news-lines in the usual (and sometimes unusual) places. After helping to set up and present the BBC news channel’s nightly entertainment bulletin E24, Alex is now the main reporter on the brand’s weekend progamme as well as a presenter of the BBC’s showbiz updates.
Alex started her career in radio before moving to BBC3 and Liquid News. She was one of the show’s main reporters and became its LA correspondent for a year before the lure of a ten part documentary series brought her back to the UK. Liquid Assets – were shown on BBC1 and 3. Presented by Alex, these hour long programmes concentrated on stars and their money: how they made it (in the spotlight and financially) and what they did with their fame / cash once they “arrived”.
Alex has worked as a commentator on five news, bbc radio and on various list shows. She has also contributed features to the BBC’s website.
John Sparkes
Swansea born John is more commonly known on Welsh television as Barry Welsh, in the award-winning (Best Light Entertainment, Welsh Baftas, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004) series Barry Welsh is Coming for HTV.
As well as this hit, he is widely known for his comic creations ‘Siadwel’ and ‘Frank Hovis’ from the days of BBC’s “Naked Video” and Channel 4’s “Absolutely”.
John Sparkes has since written for and performed in many shows including four series of “Celebrity Pub Quiz” (HTV), “Like It or Lump It” (Vera Prods for Ch4), ‘‘Jeff Global’s Global Probe’’ (ITV) and “The Morwenna Banks Show” (Absolutely for Ch5). He has also performed in both series of Radio 4’s “Mouth to Mouth” (Zeitgeist Prods).
Behind the camera he provides the voice of the Narrator children’s animated series ‘‘Peppa Pig’‘. He also lends his voice to the series ‘‘Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends’’ and ‘‘Shaun the Sheep’‘, and is the voice of Cbeebies “Fireman Sam” (Siriol Productions).
He also writes and presents “Ghost Story” in which he spends the night alone with a camcorder in haunted houses around Wales. He has also co-written and presented Doug Strong’s Special Places, a factual comedy series for ITV Wales and ITV Central.
Brix Smith-Start
Brix Smith Start joined the legendary British band The Fall in 1983 as a guitarist/singer/songwriter. She first appeared on the Perverted by Language album, and recorded and released numerous albums with them before finally leaving for good back in 1996.
She went on to release 2 solo albums under the name ‘‘Adult Net’’ in the years following The Fall.
Brix has since gone on to pursue a career in acting, presenting and most notably, in fashion.
Having launched her first boutique Start with her husband Philip Start in 2002, they have since pretty much taken over Rivington Street in East London, with 4 boutiques and an online store!
The Start stores are A-list boutiques, and are considered to be amongst the best stores in the world.
Brix is one of the most recognized faces in fashion and is now working on multiple TV projects.
She is a series regular on Gok’s Fashion Fix (Channel 4), Market Kitchen (Optomen) and the brand new Angela And Friends (Sky TV) and has also appeared on Top Dog (Animal Planet), The Culture Show (BBC TV), Tough Gig (ITV), John Peels Record Box (Channel 4) and on LK Today’s ‘What’s Hot and What’s Not’ segment to name a few.
She has recently completed a new solo album called Neurotica, available now on iTunes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIUHf5gxf1I
Tony Shepherd
Not only is Tony an expert on all things ‘showbiz’ – but he is also an accomplished Radio and TV presenter.
He presents the late show on Capital Radio as well as Entertainment Weekly. He’s provided live coverage of events such as The Brit Awards, Live 8 in Philadelphia and the world premiere of ‘Star Wars’ in Cannes. His reports can also be heard on Classic FM, Xfm, Capital Gold and more than 60 regional stations. You can also catch him presenting “CD:UK-Access All Areas”, which features on many commercial radio stations up and down the country including Capital Radio in London. He also presents the networked show, “Entertainment Weekly”.
But, he doesn’t just have a face for radio. With his quick wit and friendly style he has also presented a Jim Carey special for Sky Television (BSkyB Prods for Sky movies), covered the ‘Glamour Woman of the Year Awards’ for GMTV and provided numerous ‘talking heads’ opinion pieces and voice-overs for a wide range of programmes.
Tony is also a qualified broadcast journalist and has covered many hard-hitting stories in that area of his career.
Indy Selvarajah
Indy Selvarajah is a writer, performer and artist.
He has shown work at the Whitney Museum of Art in New York, Serpentine, Barbican and Tate galleries and co-created a digital theatre production with the actor Willem Dafoe and The Wooster Group.
Indy created, wrote and starred in the Channel 4 comedy show ‘Aint It Funny Being Coloured’. He wrote and voiced the animation ‘The Watering Hole’ for the BBC and ‘Ali, The Awfully Friendly Muslim’, produced by Dazed and Confused.
He is currently working on a new satirical hidden camera show for the BBC and a series of musical comedy shorts with Guy Berryman from Coldplay.
Indy was selected as a Broadcast Hotshot for comedy writing in 2008 and on the Courvoisier Future100 in 2009. He has also won an Obie Off Broadway Award in 2006.
‘Indy’s work is timely, valid, interesting and very funny. Here is someone who has given considerable thought to what he does and is creating material that is new territory – unlike anything else I’m seeing at the moment in the UK.’
Jeremy Dyson (creator / writer of League of Gentlemen)
‘He’s a very fresh voice, both in the world of comedy and the world of social issues. He has the ability to talk about issues of identity without it becoming polemic, and that runs through all his writing.’
Ben Caudell (Zeppotron)
‘Aint it funny Being Coloured?’
Guardian – Top 50 Must See Shows of 2008
Times – Pick of the Week
Time Out – Pick of the Day
Independent Newspaper – Pick of the Day
http://www.guardian.com/courvoisier500/top-100-media
New Sport – Highball Sports 360’ -Spoof sports show
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWgBjdVUE6I
Weekly News Roundup
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u1Rudpfrno
Millwall FC’s new player
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-_YuAE6778
Jon Ronson
Jon Ronson is a writer and documentary film maker. His books, Them: Adventures With Extremists and The Men Who Stare At Goats were international bestsellers. The Men Who Stare At Goats has been turned into a major motion picture starring George Clooney, Ewan McGregor, Kevin Spacey and Jeff Bridges. He’s also the author of two collections, Out Of The Ordinary: True Tales of Everyday Craziness and What I Do: More True Tales of Everyday Craziness.
He’s written the popular “Human Zoo” and “Out of the Ordinary” columns for The Guardian, where he still contributes features. He currently writes and presents the twice Sony nominated BBC Radio 4 series, Jon Ronson On….
For Channel 4, Jon has made a number of films including the acclaimed five part series the Secret Rulers of the World and the multi award-winning Tottenham Ayatollah. His most recent documentaries are Reverend Death (Channel 4), Citizen Kubrick (More4) and Robbie Williams and Jon Ronson Journey to the Other Side (Radio 4).
In the US, he is a contributor to Public Radio International’s This American Life.
www.jonronson.com
“Mr. Ronson sets The Men Who Stare At Goats up beautifully. It moves with wry, precise agility …so entertaining… a smarter, nuttier version of “The Tipping Point” or “Blink.” …Mr. Ronson, a filmmaker and journalist whose earlier book, “Them: Adventures With Extremists,” was also outstandingly artful and chilling, eventually follows his trail of bread crumbs to the realms that really matter …Somehow he is able to keep his book both light and nightmarish …He remains terrifically adept at capturing the horror of these developments without losing track of their lunacy.” (review of The Men Who Stare At Goats) Janet Maslin – The New York Times
‘‘Unlikely though it certainly will seem to most readers at this difficult hour…Jon Ronson has managed to write a hugely amusing book about the lunatic fringe.’‘
(review of THEM) Washington Post
‘‘Often entertaining, more often disturbing…[Ronson] has gotten closer to these people than any journalist I can think of.’‘
New York Times (THEM)
‘‘I’ve never read such a delightful book on such a serious and important topic’‘.
The Nation (THEM)
Nick Revell
Nick Revell is a stand up and writer of great repute – his material is a mixture of topical, observational and stories.
“Revell’s pedigree goes back to the eighties, but his patter feels as relevant today as it ever did” London Evening Standard, 2004
“A master-craftsman back at work” Time Out, 2003
“Scalpel-sharp satirist” London Evening Standard, 2002
He was chief writer on the BBC 1 panel show “Public Opinion” and has sit-coms in development with BBC TV and Radio and a comedy-drama with ITV.
Nick appears regularly on Radio 4’s “Just A Minute” and “Quote, Unquote”.
Katie Puckrik
Described as “the descendant of Dorothy Parker and Mae West”, Katie Puckrik is a broadcaster, writer, and performer. Her TV and radio work in the US and the UK includes entertainment, comedy, music and documentary.
Puckrik has starred on Oxygen Network’s “Pajama Party”, the variety talk show she originally devised for British television. She won a Gracie Award for Best Reality Series with her creation “Who Needs Hollywood?”, the comedy documentary series she executive produced and starred in for Oxygen.
Her British television work includes hosting and writing hit variety series “The Word” (Channel Four) and “The Sunday Show” (BBC) and “Pyjama Party” (ITV).
Puckrik’s journalism can be read in Elle, The Guardian, Marie Claire and the London Sunday Times. Her career encompasses acting, singing and dancing, including a tour across the globe with the Pet Shop Boys.
Reviewers have called her memoir, “Shooting From The Lip” (Headline) “Gonzette journalism…an ammunition-packed bad girl’s guide to life.”
Patrick O’Connell
On TV, Paddy has knelt at Bill Clinton’s feet to steady a microphone, and was challenged by Bill Gates to debut the X-box. On radio he presents “Broadcasting House” on Radio 4.
He was the Wall Street anchor for the BBC, and was due for a meeting at the World Trade Centre during the attacks on the USA in 2001. He reported on the attacks and presented the News coverage on the evening of September 11th from New York, and covered the aftermath until leaving New York in 2003.
Witnessing terrorist murder and Wall Street boom, bust and sleaze, he changed direction. He currently presents BBC 2’s “Working Lunch”, and co-presented various programming around the Eurovision Song Contest.
He first worked on local radio stations in the UK for five years, was hired for the launch team of BBC Radio 5 Live, and the launch of “The World” from WGBH in Boston and BBC World Service. He has been heard as reporter or presenter on other stations around the world including 50 US stations which broadcast “The World,” Radio New Zealand, ABC Australia, Radio Canada, London’s LBC 97.3 and Radio Scotland.
Other presenting credits include: “Flashmob: The Opera”, “Naked City; Spencer Tunick”, “Celebdaq”, “Liquid News”, “Liquid Assets”, “HardTalk Extra”, “Seven O’Clock News, BBC 3”, “World Business Report”, “Oscars Special 2006”, “Making your Mind Up”. Other contributions include: “Richard and Judy”, “HeadJam”, “100 Best Cartoons”.
He was listed among the top 40 gay men on TV by “Attitude” magazine, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Picture courtesy of Joe Gaffney/Retina
James O’Brien
James currently presents the flagship mid-morning talk show on LBC 97.3 where he continues to challenge the traditional phone-in format by focussing on people’s experiences rather than opinions!
His broadcasting career began entirely by accident when, as the youngest show business editor on Fleet Street, he notched up so many TV appearances that he was approached by Channel 5 to launch and co-present “The Wright Stuff”.
The move to a Norwich location, led to a late night chat show for Anglia TV (Alan Partridge comparisons ceased to be funny when the bloke who commissioned it for a national run really did lose his job the following morning), win a Sony Award for his first outing as a radio presenter (“The Magnificent Seven” for Five Live) and, with his wife Lucy McDonald, front “Five Talk” – Channel Five’s groundbreaking nightly phone-in for the 2001 election. Reviewing the programme in The Independent, Clive James called James ‘a walking encyclopaedia of political savvy.’ Perhaps less impressively, he has also been called ‘the new Michael Parkinson’ by Bernard Manning and a ‘knee-jerk mong’ by Loaded magazine.
A stint at the helm of the legendary late night debate show, “Central Weekend Live”, brought him to the attention of LBC in 2002. In the space of a year, and backed by record-breaking ratings, he moved from presenting a single Sunday night programme to the current mid-morning daily talk show, which recently became the biggest in London in that particular timeslot.
Despite the demands of a daily radio show, he continues to make regular appearances on screen and in print. His versatility and comfort with both light and heavy subject matter is best illustrated by his journalism, appearing everywhere from Cosmopolitan to the Spectator and the fact that he is as comfortable on the GMTV sofa or chatting with Richard & Judy as he is discussing policy announcements on the BBC or Sky News!
To hear more from James please click a link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xx5wCkqzYJI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL8WYYcud1k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyF2PhGgRrA
Ben Norris
Ben Norris is one of the most sought after comperes on the circuit and has developed a reputation for his ability to work an audience and think fast on his feet. Ben presented MTV’s “Hot” for a successful run, has performed sets for “The Stand Up Show” (BBC) and guested on “They Think It’s All Over” (TalkBack Prods for BBC1) and “Nevermind the Buzzcocks” (TalkBack Prods for BBC2).
Ben was a writer and warm-up for Paul Kaye’s “Liar” (Talkback Prods), as well as “Your Face or Mine” (Talkback Prods for BBC Choice) and is in demand as a warm up for entertainment shows.
www.bennorris.com
Colin Murray
Colin Murray began his career as a news reporter, cutting his teeth at the Ulster News Letter. Colin then set up and co-published his own cutting-edge music magazine Blank and unexpectedly found himself co-hosting for BBC Radio 1’s Session In Northern Ireland, after attending a five minute audtition believing it was for BBC Radio Ulster. It appeared he could talk as well as write.
Since then Colin has soared through the ranks at BBC Radio 1, deputising for various major shows and doing a six month stint as host of the flagship evening music programme. He currently co-presents the “Colin & Edith show”, Mon-Fri, 1-3pm.
On TV, Colin has presented BBC3’s “EastEnders Revealed”, 4Music series “Ear Candy”, Channel 4’s “Born Sloppy” and appeared regularly on “Liquid News”. Colin has also co-presented the last three year’s BBC3 Glastonbury coverage.
Apart from being crowned IPR Northern Ireland Entertainment Journalist Of The Year 2002 – for his long-standing music column in the Irish Sunday People – he recently scooped a coveted Gold Sony Radio Broadcast Award. The Feature Award was for a documentary he made with All Out Productions entitled “The Trouble With Drugs”.
http://www.bbc.com/fivelive/programmes/fightingtalk.shtml
Sophie Morgan
After having a car accident in 2003 that left me paralysed and in a wheel chair for life, my attitude was altered dramatically. Initially I planned to study law, but due to this shift in consciousness (!!) I followed my heart. After a year of adapting to my new life in a chair, whilst studying art at foundation level, I was awarded an unconditional offer to study fine art at Goldsmiths University. I had my first exhibition in my first year, and since then have continued to exhibit throughout London. My love for learning has also led me on to study an English Literature Degree with the Open University, which grants me the freedom to study while still balancing my career as an artist and my determination to pursue my dream of TV presenting and writing.
I have seized two rare and incredible opportunities given by the BBC to take part in very contrasting but equally groundbreaking series. “Beyond Boundaries”, a month long expedition across Nicaragua in 2004 and “Britain’s Missing Top Model” a six part reality show in 2008 focusing on disabled women, aspiring to challenge stereotype and break into the fashion industry. The experiences have awarded me an insight to the power that the media could have in changing perceptions of disability, as well as revealing my ability and talent in articulating opinion, passion and insight.
I have more drive and ambition than I know what to do with, and while representing diversity is obviously very important to me I am equally dedicated to living my life to the full! I continue to challenge myself everyday – from skydiving to public speaking, from racing driving to modelling, and my lust for life has taken me around the world to experience cultures and countries that have taught me valuable lessons in my short life!
Also I work closely with a charity called the Back Up Trust which helps spinal chord injured people metaphorically back up, encouraging them to try different sports and activities. I am starting work with the charity Enable Me, through which I will be lucky enough to talk to young women at schools around the country to help deal with issues of insecurity and confidence.
I am aiming as high as I possibly can, and am very excited to be involved with a project with BBC Horizons this summer as well as a project with ManyRivers films.
http://www.sophiemorgan.com/
http://www.reels.org.uk/?id=morgan
Andrew Lynford
Andrew trained at Mountview Theatre School. Upon graduating, he presented the children’s BBC show, “Playdays” (playing roles like the pig that built his house from twigs, the cockerel who couldnt crow, etc). These demanding roles led to repertory seasons including Liverpool, Worcester, Swansea, Lincoln, Hornchurch and UK tours, where he played everything from ‘Adrian Mole’ to ‘Algernon’ in “The Importance Of Being Earnest”. Other appearances include the comedies “Run For Your Wife” and “Don’t Dress For Dinner” and musicals, “Little Shop Of Horrors” and “Leader Of The Pack”.
He played ‘Simon’ (the miserable gay one) in “Eastenders” and he received a Best Newcomer nomination at the National Television Awards (he didn’t win it). As a presenter, he has fronted shows including “Living Live”, “Open House”, “The Biz”, and “Arty Facts” – a game show he devised for Granada.
Andrew writes and directs panto each year – 2007 sees him directing “Snow White” at the Palace Theatre, Newark (and also playing ‘Muddles’). He has also directed “The Cheeky Chappie” and “Side By Side” by Sondhiem at the Union Theatre, London; revue at Jermyn Street and a tour of the new comedy, “Dirty Dusting”.
As a writer, his 1970’s musical, “Diva Fever – The Decade That Taste Forgot” played Edinburgh and toured; his adaption of “The Jungle Book” has played various summer seasons, and with Tim Ward, he has contributed to “Titty Bang Bang” (Pett/BBC), written a new BBC 3 sketch show “Dirty Dirty Caravan” and has a drama in development with TwoFour Productions.
www.andrewlynford.com
Steve Ludwin
Connecticut Yankee Steve Ludwin defected to London in 1987 after failing to fit in with the red neck Reagan Rambo brigade. Playing the live circuit supporting such acts as Hole, Pearl Jam and Nirvana, Steve soon found himself signing to Island Records. Many horrendous Spinal Tap moments later he left the life of a band member behind to concentrate on songwriting for Warner Chappell, penning songs with artists including Slash, Placebo and Ash.
Steve accidentally fell into the world of television after his homemade pilot Annoying American was picked up by MTV. Bwark Productions are developing Steve’s comedy series “Unhappy Day” documenting daily life in a pathetic emo band. He also played a part in the VH1 special on Velvet Revolver when he was asked to audition for the band.
Not content confining himself to just music and comedy, amateur herpetologist Steve has now been commissioned by Animal Planet (Zig Zag Productions) to present a unique new show investigating snake venom self-immunisation – something he’s been doing for almost twenty years! Steve will travel the world interviewing experts, sampling various venoms and investigating the medicinal properties; from cancer and stroke cures to anti-ageing creams.
Steve is also currently writing and developing a non-nauseating eco-friendly children’s TV series called “The Clean Ups”.
Derren Litten
Derren Litten was born in 1969 in the northern fishing town of Hull; thankfully things have improved greatly since then. Graduating from The Central School of Speech and Drama in 1993 he quickly became a regular face on numerous television shows and countless TV commercials.
In 2002 Derren’s friend from drama school, Catherine Tate, asked him to write for her Edinburgh sketch show. Although he had never written comedy before It was thought he would be the ideal man for the job as he often said funny things and would do it for nothing. Although Catherine knew people funnier than Derren, thankfully none of them could beat his rates.
When Catherine was offered her own TV series on BBC2 Derren became a main writer; he also performed in the show as they remembered at the last minute that he is rather marvellous at acting too. In 2005 Derren was noiminated for a BAFTA Craft Award in the “New Writer” category. After two series and a Christmas Special (pulling in a record audience of over 5 million viewers), Derren decided it was time to concentrate on his own projects and turned down the offer to be involved in a third series.
He has since written for many of his comedy heroes including John Sullivan, Barry Humphries and Harry Enfield and also found the time to write (and perform in) two series of his own sitcom, “Benidorm” – the first of which aired in February 2007 and the second is filming now.
Despite being from the north and a member of The Magic Circle, surprisingly, he finds very few people get the urge to punch him in the face.
www.derrenlitten.com
Jason Lewis
Multi-talented actor, writer, comedian Jason Lewis burst onto the UK comedy scene in 2006 with his unique stand-up comedy routines, which wowed and intrigued audiences across the UK.
Despite his natural ability to bring a smile to any face, Jason had not planned to become a comedian. As a professional actor Jason trained at the Anna Scher Theatre for six years and constructed an award winning one man show Black O’ Rama at the Anna Scher Festival of Plays.
It was not long after Jason’s initial introduction to stand-up comedy that he began writing his digital showpiece, The Jason Lewis Experience; a unique presentation of sketch comedy at its best, looking at real life issues with a humorous twist. In early 2007 Jason gave people a taste of The Jason Lewis Experience with two sketches, Small Change and Ready for War, made available on YouTube. The positive response was a sign of things to come.
To date The Jason Lewis Experience has received rave reviews. The controversial sketch Black Boys; a spoof music video which pokes fun at certain celebrities within the entertainment industry, was an instant hit with viewers prompting interest from MTV and Channel4. The response to his work was so much so that Jason landed a role on The Andi O Show (part of the E4 Comedy Season, also know as Funny Cuts) and he was also given a cameo role in Adulthood, the sequel to the UK feature film Kidulthood.
The Jason Lewis Experience gained more exposure in 2008 when producers from MTV Base agreed to broadcast selected sketches throughout Black History Month, during commercial breaks (October 2008). MTV Base later decided to give The Jason Lewis Experience its own thirty-minute slot, which was screened throughout the beginning of 2009. As a credit to his hard work Jason received an Urban Comedy Award 2009 nomination for The Jason Lewis Experience, in the Best TV Performance category.
In April 2009 Jason was cast as an actor and writer for the new BBC sketch show Down the Line, created by BAFTA award winners and UK comedy heavyweights, Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson. Jason also finished filming his part as Mick in BBC sitcom Miranda, a show loosely based on the life of British Comedy Award winner Miranda Hart.
Jason is currently working on the second installment of The Jason Lewis Experience with the BBC, and is due to begin filming for a role in the BBC sitcom Coming of Age.
Jason can be seen in Down the Line and Miranda on BBC TWO later this year.
Check Jason out at: www.iamjasonlewis.com
Olivia Lee
Olivia Lee is one of Britain’s biggest-rising female comedy stars. She’s glamorous, sexy, mischievous and armed with razor-sharp wit.
A quirky, funny and talented performer, Olivia is a skillful presenter, comedy actress and writer. You can often find her on the live comedy circuit performing as one of her many comic creations, or see her on TV!
Olivia kick-started her career on the popular BBC children’s sitcom, The Basil Brush Show, playing the Brush’s girlfriend and she hasn’t looked back! Olivia has since hosted a variety of entertainment shows including E4’s Unanimous – The Fallout alongside comedian Paddy McGuinness and T4’s The Morning After Show Channel 4’s comedy live breakfast show with comedian Simon Amstell.
You will recognise Olivia from her Prank TV with Miss Lee slot on the hit Channel 4 show Balls of Steel, where she demonstrates her fearlessness and her ability to boldly go where many others would not dare. She also starred in and wrote her very own comedy pilot – Olivia Lee’s Naughty Bits, which premiered on Channel 4 in 2008.
She has featured on ITV and T4 movie specials, interviewing A-listers such as Will Smith, Keanu Reeves and Owen Wilson. You can also frequently catch Olivia having a chat and a giggle on the red carpet for E! Channel,
If you are based in the States you might have been lucky enough to have seen Olivia hosting the hilarious Battle of the Bods on the FOX Reality Channel.
Olivia Lee returns in her very own hidden camera show: Olivia Lee: Dirty Sexy Funny – coming to Comedy Central UK in 2010.
What the papers say:
“We don’t get girls into FHM just because they look good, it helps if they crack a joke or two, that’s why we had to grab wise cracking TV babe Olivia Lee” (FHM.)
“Lee’s fearlessness is awesome” – The Mirror
“Olivia is of a new generation of comediennes causing a stir in the industry. Attractive women who don’t need to play ugly to get laughs. The UK’s answer to Sarah Silverman?” – GRAZIA
“Lee could emerge as the best of the comedy stars the UK has to offer: she has smart ideas for stunts, an ability to improvise and bags of nerve” - Sunday Times
“Olivia pulls off hilarious hidden-camera pranks” - The Sun
“Olivia Lee is very, very funny” – The Times
Visit Olivia at www.olivialee.com
Jeff Leach
Jeff Leach is a presenter, comedian and actor with no fear and plenty of purpose. A cheeky north London lad who has trodden the boards since he was old enough to speak over the rest of the family, Jeff never sleeps and has crammed a lifetime into his 25 years on this planet.
After extensive theatre acting throughout his school days, Jeff spent 3 miserable years at Warwick University studying English Lit and Theatre Studies. To pass the time he ran his student radio station RAW FM, hosting the two hour drive time show and also heading up the national Student Radio Association for two years, securing him work at commercial stations Mercia FM, Kerrang! And Xfm. An avid gig goer, Jeff started to run two monthly live clubs in London and DJ’d under his moniker Men In Masks. Once university ended he performed as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s Complete Works Festival and continued to push his DJ profile throughout all of the major UK and European festivals.
After playing at Bestival in 2007, Jeff met a producer back of main stage and managed to arrange a screen test in early 2008. What led from this was BBC Switch’s The Surgery and Scene Stealers. In the past year he has stormed into focus as exciting new comedy presenting talent with shows such as T in the Park Festival, Big Brother’s Big Mouth, V Festival for Virgin On Demand, Celebrity Scissorhands and Comic Relief Naughty Bits. Not content with pushing his presenter profile alone, Jeff does regular stand up gigs, live sketch comedy gigs with his group The Story Pirates and is writing both radio and tv comedy pilots.
Jeff wants world domination, and he is determined to take every single one of the Great British public with him. Packed lunches will be provided.
http://www.jeffreyleach.com/
Amy Lamé
Amy Lamé is a broadcaster, writer, performer and all-round chubby glamourpuss. She co-presents with Danny Baker on BBC Radio London 94.9 and on the new, independent podcast The All Day Breakfast Show.
She has contributed to Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, BBC Radio Scotland, Radio Five and Australia’s ABC Radio.
Amy is a survivor of Celebrity Fit Club and contributes to many TV shows including Richard and Judy, The Daily Politics Show, Great Food Live, Make Me a Supermodel and The One Show.
She writes travel features for The Times and The Observer, and has been featured in publications as varied as Decanter, Good Housekeeping and DIVA.
Amy is the co-founder and host of the Olivier award winning performance club and creative collective, Duckie. Her one woman show, Amy Lamé‘s Mama Cass Family Singers, has toured both nationally & internationally to critical acclaim!
For more info, check out www.amylame.com
Saira Khan
Businesswoman, Author, Public Speaker and Television Presenter…Saira Khan!
Saira shot to fame in the first series of the smash hit BBC TV Series “The Apprentice” and has since taken the UK by storm. In 2006 Saira also presented the BBC1 daytime series, “Temper your Temper”, a programme dealing with anger management, and British-Asian lifestyle show Desi DNA. She was a regular columnist for the second series of The Apprentice as well as being snapped up by the Daily Mirror where she was given her own column, ‘Saira Sorts it’.
Also in 2006 she set up a new campaign called OUR SAY to campaign for local and national referenda on issues of major public interest.
Saira has presented on various BBC and ITV programmes such as: “Tonight with Trevor McDonald-Behind the Veil” and “This Week with Andrew Neil” where her piece on Muslim extremism in Britain was applauded by the media. Saira is popular with GMTV and Breakfast News and is a popular contributor on these programmes.
In 2008 Saira presented BBC1’s “Beat The Boss” – the show was heralded in Broadcast Magazine as the Number 1 children’s programme! Additionally, Saira has presented “Saira Khan: Saving Turtles” for the BBC’s Saving Planet Earth series and two one hour documentaries for BBC 2 entitled “Saira Khan’s Pakistan Adventure”. She presented an edition of the BBC’s Money Programme about entrepreneurial mothers. She is a columnist for the Daily Mirror, a regular panelist for BBC Radio 5 Live and has appeared on a number of other stations including BBC Radio 4 and the BBC Asian Network. Phew!
Saira has also written a self help book, “P.U.S.H. For Success”, published by Vermillion – part of the prestigious Random House stable. The title has become a best selling self-help book.
Saira is a regular corporate and motivational speaker – her straight talking, no nonsense approach makes her an energetic and captivating speaker. Her business insight comes not from text books or theories but from her own direct experience, added to which, her cultural background and experience makes her an exciting, modern spokeswoman.
Saira has gained both an MA and BA Hons degree as well as working in sales for some of the UK’s leading blue chip companies including, United Biscuits, Yell and The Guardian Media Group and is the MD of her own company “miamoo” a luxury range of skincare products, www.miamoo.com.
Most recently she has taken part in AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS for the BBC. In a re-enactment of Jules Verne’s literary odyssey, six pairs of celebrities race against the clock to raise money for 2009’s BBC Children in Need, where she saw herself partnered with Nick Hewer from her days on The Apprentice. In the second episode of this remarkable series we saw Saira take the baton from Turkey to Kazakhstan.
Please visit www.sairakhan.co.uk
Paul Kaye
Paul Kaye: Comedian, writer but first and foremost an actor.
He exploded onto our screens way back in 1995 as ‘‘Dennis Pennis’‘, a shock interviewer whose mocking style terrorised celebrity victims on both sides of the Atlantic. Since then he has created an eclectic CV for himself in television, film and theatre, appearing in hits such as; ‘‘SPACED’’ (Chanel 4), 2 series of the BBC series ‘‘PERFECT WORLD’‘, the leading role of Kenny Marsh in 3 series of BBC’s successful ‘‘TWO THOUSAND ACRES OF SKY’‘, ‘‘WAKING THE DEAD’’ (BBC), ‘‘DOWN TO EARTH’’ (BBC), ‘‘MISS MARPLE’’ (Granada), ‘‘HUSTLE’’ (BBC), ‘‘EASTENDERS’’ (BBC), ‘‘HOTEL BABYLON’’ (Carnival / BBC) and 2 series in the Stephen Fry smash ‘‘KINGDOM’’ (ITV) to name a tiny few.
He starred alongside Johnny Vegas, James Cromwell, Imelda Staunton and Vince Vaughn in the Mel Smith directed ‘‘BLACKBALL’‘, and then in 2005 he took the role of deaf DJ Frankie Wilde in the mockumentary ‘‘IT’S ALL GONE PETE TONG’’ which won eleven awards worldwide, including ‘Best Film’ at the Toronto Film Festival and ‘Best Actor’ for Paul at the HBO Comedy Awards.
Other film credits include ‘‘AGENT CODY BANKS 2: DESTINATION LONDON’’ (MGM Films), ‘‘SPIVS’’ (Carnaby Films), Woody Allen’s ‘‘MATCHPOINT’’ opposite Scarlett Johanssen, ‘‘WAZ’’ (Vertigo Films) directed by Tom Shankland, ‘‘CASS’’ (Optimum Films), and ‘‘THE BIG I AM’’ (Cinematic Productions).
Paul had the opportunity to take to London’s West End, appearing in ‘‘DINNER’’ opposite Harriet Walter at The Wyndhams Theatre to rave reviews.
Recently Paul worked on the second series of his hugely successful MTV series ‘‘STRUTTER’’ playing the lead role of ‘Mike Strutter’. It is MTV’s highest rating show (after the MTV Awards!). He starred in the hit Channel 5 series ‘‘ANGELO’S’‘, series 2 of the BBC’s comedy ‘‘PULLING’‘, opposite Timothy Spall in ITV’s 2 part thriller ‘‘GUNRUSH’‘, ‘‘PA’S’’ (BBC), ‘‘MIDSOMER MURDERS’’ (Bentley Productions for ITV), the new series of ‘‘KATY BRANDS BIG ASS SHOW’’ (ITV), and will be seen in series 4 of Channel 4’s huge hit ‘‘SKINS’‘.
Most recently Paul has worked on the films ‘‘MURDER IN MIND’’ (White Feather Films), ‘‘MALICE IN WONDERLAND’’ (2B Pictures), ‘‘THE INFIDEL’’ (Met Films) and the forthcoming ‘‘EATING DUST’’ (Jinx Films).
For television he has worked with Ruth Jones on her new BBC comedy ‘‘A CHILD’S CHRISTMASES IN WALES’’ playing Uncle Gorwel, and continues to voice various characters in BBC’s ‘‘WE ARE MONGRELS’‘.
Paul has won various awards including Arena Magazine’s ‘‘Comedian of the Year 2008’’ and the Loaded Lafta ‘Best Television Personality Award’. He recently hosted FilmFour’s new season of ‘‘Films to See Before You Die’’.
Jay Hunt
JAY HUNT is a 43 year old presenter, writer and lifestyle expert. She co-presented three series of is BBC2’s “Would Like To Meet”, where together with Tracey Cox and Jeremy Milnes she performed radical makeovers on those wanting to impress on the dating scene including a special with Esther Rantzen.
She also presented “Style High Club” a 15 × 30 minute series for Discovery Health and has presented four successful series of “Spendaholics” for BBC3.
She is a regular contributor on radio and and tv on the credit crunch and her book “Spendsmart” was published in February 2009 by Little Brown. She also runs her own production company Violet Productions making brilliant footage for the web.
Rufus Hound
Rufus Hound is a comedian and a presenter and an actor and the owner of a fine moustache.
He likes: Rum, kites, tattoos, Nintendo, driving, Las Vegas (where he got married), making his kid laugh, Scrabble, television and steak.
He doesn’t like: football, Westlife, Tequila, sportless exercise, leafy salad, ill-manners, the widespread disregard for the three lane motorway system and of course, hecklers.
You might have seen him on ITV’s “Thank God You’re Here” (which he won), Channel 4’s “Richard and Judy” (weekly, in a slot called ‘Eurovision’ that was specifically created for him) and on The BBC’s festival coverage (Glastonbury and Reading for the last few years).
Yes – he did used to present “Top of The Pops” (the last one, in fact), or you may have caught him on various panel shows for Dave or on the fact-ent spectaculars “Grime Scene Investigation” (BBC3) or “The Farm: Revealed” (Channel 4 Schools).
That said, you could have glimpsed him on “Law of The Playground” (C4) or many of those talking head shows which featured Rufus’ uncanny knack of remembering things and then, brilliantly, speaking about them.
Indeed, it’s Rufus’ knack of saying words aloud that’s seen him asked to provide voice over for shows such as Sky One’s “Gladiators Ready!”, “The A-Z of Gladiators” and “Playr”, Bravo TV’s weekly video games round-up.
As an actor, Rufus has just completed work on a Funny Cut on E4 called “Think Tank”, and appeared as ‘The Producer’ in bad-taste-TV-show-idea-brainstorm internet short “Life’s A Pitch”. There was more of Rufus on the Internet when he was the co-anchor on spoof news show “NewsLog” (www.log.tv), but that’s apparently not happening any more. Seems like a shame.
So what’s next for Rufus? Why not call and tell us?
Jon Holmes
The six-time Sony Award winning writer, comedian and broadcaster called Jon Holmes holds a joint degree in Radio, Film and Television and English from Canterbury. His first book ‘Status Quo and the Kangaroo’ was published by Penguin in 2007 and is published in America in 2008. His own Radio 4 comedy series, ‘Listen Against’ – “the mischievous offspring of The Day Today and Feedback” (Guardian) has just been recommissioned for a second series for 2008 and his new paperback book ‘Rock Star Babylon’ (Penguin) is out in the UK in August.
Upon graduating Jon somehow went to his own show on BBC Radio 4 called ‘Grievous Bodily Radio’ which was “fast and furious… spot on” according to The Independent and “disgusting” according to the East Anglia Gazette. Since then his other Radio 4 credits have included co-creating and writing the multi award winning ‘Dead Ringers’, writing and being a regular panellist on ‘The 99p Challenge’, writer / performer on the Sony Award winning and Channel 4 Political Award nominated ‘The Now Show’ and he’s a sometime cohort of Armando Iannucci, most recently on his Sony Award winning ‘Charm Offensive’ for Radio 4 and ‘Time Trumpet’ for BBC2.
Over on Radio 2 he writes and co-presents ‘The Day The Music Died’ and hosts his very own Saturday afternoon show on BBC 6 Music where he plays some very good music and messes around in the gaps. His music radio shows have earned him Sony Gold and Best New Presenter Awards but he’s no stranger to talk radio either, having hosted the Drivetime show on London’s LBC 97.3 where he could be regularly heard “verbally jousting with mentals”. He’s also had his own shows on XFM, Radio 1 and Virgin and it was from the latter that he quite notoriously earned the sack in 2002 when a phone in game called ‘Swearing Radio Hangman for the Under 12s’ went tragically expensive in terms of a record fine. Jon still holds the record for ‘largest fine ever for taste and decency offences in British broadcasting’. Sadly he didn’t get a certificate or anything. A comedy special ‘Jon Holmes on Radio 1’ aired on the station last year.
TV work includes writing, performing and presenting in various combinations on ‘Time Trumpet’ (BBC2), ‘Mock The Week’ (BBC2) ‘7 Days’ (BBC3), ‘Dead Ringers’ (BBC2) ‘The Impressionable Jon Culshaw’ (ITV1), ‘Armando Iannucci’s Gash’ (CH4) , ‘The State We’re In’ and ‘Celebdaq’ (both BBC3), ‘Have I Got News For You’, ‘29 Minutes of Fame’, ( both BBC1) and co-hosting Series 5 of ‘The 11 O’Clock Show’ (CH4). He was also Programme Consultant on the multi award winning ‘V Graham Norton’ (CH4), regular guest on ‘The Wright Stuff’ (CH5), and ‘Sky News’ where he makes the presenter Anna Botting go red and start giggling. He’s also been on ‘This Morning’ (ITV1) a few times where he once called Phillip Schofield a “witch”. He was approached to see if he wanted to be stuck in the jungle for ITV1’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here but told them to sod off.
He wrote the script for the ‘BAFTA Film Awards’ with, and for, Stephen Fry to great acclaim and was the host for ‘The MOJO Awards’. He has also written words for the likes of Keanu Reeves, Leonardo DiCaprio, Jamie Foxx and Bono. He has been variously described as “clever…but warped” by The Sunday Times, “a genius” by Heat, “wickedly funny” by The Times and “a tosser” by Martine McCutcheon in an interview in Smash Hits. He is most proud of that one!
Paul Hawkyard
Paul is an actor with vast experience in eclectic roles.
He has graced our screens across the years in ‘‘Kiss Me Kate’’ (Carlton), ‘‘Maisie Raine’’ (Zenith), ‘‘Eastenders’’ (BBC), ‘‘Heartbeat’’ (ITV), ‘‘Where The Heart Is’’ (Anglia), ‘‘Miss Marple’’ (Granada), ‘‘The Last Detective’’ (ITV), and ‘‘Mike Bassett’’ (ITV) to name a (very select) few.
Most recently he has been seen in ‘‘Casualty’’ (BBC), ‘‘2 Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps’’ (BBC) and ‘‘MI High’’ (BBC).
Furthermore he has a distinguished Musical Theatre career, starring in “Peter Pan” at the Festival Hall, Trevor Nunn’s feted production of “South Pacific” at The National Theatre and “Jesus Christ Superstar” at the Lyceum, London, to name but a few! Paul most recently starred as ‘Bill Austin’ in the hugely popular, Abba-inspired musical “Mama Mia” at the Prince of Wales Theatre.
Phil Hammond
Phil Hammond qualified as a doctor in 1987, became a GP in 1991 and has also worked in sexual health. He was half of Struck Off and Die, who had five sell-out shows at the Edinburgh Fringe, were twice selected for the Perrier Pick of the Fringe and won Writers’ Guild and Silver Sony Awards for their Radio 4 series. In 2002, Phil fronted “28 Minutes to Save the NHS” on Radio 4, which he extended to a sell out Edinburgh Fringe Show, “59 Minutes to Save the NHS” and further extended to a highly successful 60-date UK tour “89 Minutes to Save the NHS”.
Phil has written Private Eye’s medical column, ‘Doing the Rounds’, since 1992, and broke the story of the Bristol heart scandal. He gave evidence to the subsequent Public Inquiry and presented five series of “Trust Me, I’m a Doctor” on BBC 2, exposing wide variations in care across the NHS. The second edition of the book of his experiences, “Trust Me, I’m a Doctor”, is published by Metro.
He has survived Ruby Wax and “Have I Got News For You” (seven times), has appeared five times on “The News Quiz” and was the only doctor to appear for the prosecution on Channel 4’s “Doctors on Trial”. Phil has been reported to the General Medical Council by William Hague’s Press Secretary.
Phil’s first sitcom, “Doctors and Nurses”, co-written with Nigel Smith, was broadcast on BBC 1 in 2004.
Phil is much in demand as a speaker, facilitator and conference chair, and was recently described by Professor Michael Rawlins, Chair of NICE, as “the best chair we’ve ever had”.
He has recently been on Rob Brydon’s “Annually Retentive” (BBC3), fronts his own show for BBC Radio Bristol and presents “The Music Group” on Radio 4 (Wednesday 1.30pm). His latest book, “Medicine Balls” – ‘a semi-autobiographical, medico-political, self-help comedy novel with poems’ – is just published. He has been a Lecturer in Medical Communication at the Universities of Birmingham and Bristol and currently works as a part time GP in the Bristol area.
Phil is married to Jo, also a GP, and has two children, two Labradors, two cats, a pony and a full head of ginger hair.
Ashley Hames
Ashley is best known for hosting three series of ‘Sin Cities’, broadcast on Bravo, which took a wry look at sex and erotica, and gave the channel its best ever ratings. He has published a book based on his exploits, ‘Sin Cities: Adventures of a Sex Reporter’.
He has received critical acclaim for his no-holds-barred approach to presenting, perhaps best demonstrated in Bravo’s ‘Man’s Work’ series where he worked in some of the world’s most demanding jobs – including crab fishing, crime-scene cleaning, anti-narcotics enforcement, and football management.
More recently, he co-hosted Channel Five’s ‘Top Trumps’ series with Rob Llewellyn.
He also starred in Five’s ‘Celebrity Rough Guides’ where he travelled to The Philippines and achieved a record-breaking abseil.
Ashley is currently hosting PKR’s poker commentary on the Poker Channel and putting the finishing touches to his second book.
He is also writing a show to mark his debut at the Edinburgh Festival.
Tickets are available.
Ed Hall
Ever popular, Ed Hall has presented a huge variety of programmes including, two series of “Bare Necessities” for BBC2, “Technogames” (BBC2), “Crossfire” (TV21 for Ch 4) and Channel 4’s “Big Breakfast” (Planet 24 Prods). He presented ITV2’s “Survivor” (Planet 24 Prods) and two series of Sky 1’s controversial series “Temptation Island”.
Ed is currently co-presenting “To Buy or Not to Buy” for BBC 1.
Ed also counts narration amongst his many skills, and has voiced several documentaries and series for both terrestrial and satellite channels – including “Wife Swap-It’s All Over”, “Nice House, Shame About the Garden”, “How not to Decorate” and “A Dog for Britain”.
LIz Fraser
Liz Fraser is a parenting expert, best-selling author, presenter and mother of three.
After cutting her broadcasting teeth producing, editing and presenting a daily 3-hour live show for Red TV, Liz quickly moved to the BBC where she co-presented Friday Live and Kicking and the Holiday Programme for BBC 1, The Virtual Body for Channel 4 and many educational programmes for schools.
Liz’s first book The Yummy Mummy’s Survival Guide (a title she hates, incidentally, but has learned to live with) was an instant bestseller in 2006, as was the follow-up, The Family Handbook, in 2007. Her latest book, A Spoonful of Sugar – Old-fashioned Wisdom for Modern-Day Mothers, is published by HarperCollins on 9th March 2009. Liz has also written for The Sunday Times News Review, Grazia, Marie Claire and Junior magazine.
A regular contributor to BBC Breakfast and GMTV as a parenting/family expert, Liz has also contributed numerous times to Woman’s Hour and the BBC World Service. She now has offers from GMTV and LK Today to become their main parenting expert.
Liz has a very strong and varied academic background, with a degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from Cambridge University, three fluent languages (and several others not so fluently..!) and Grade 8 piano and violin. She’s also a serious runner and has recently taken up ballet, though this is mainly for the amusement of the other class members.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIEis8UX0OE
http://www.liz-fraser.com/
John Fortune
A home grown satirist of venerable standing, John Fortune has notched up eight series of BAFTA nominated “Bremner, Bird and Fortune” (Vera Prods for Ch4), with more planned!
John enjoyed a season in “Art” in 2001 and appeared in the films “Saving Grace”, “Maybe Baby” and “The Tailor of Panama” and Woody Allen’s “Match Point”. John also appeared in an episode of BBC TV’s “Love Soup”.
John Fortune and John Bird continue to write and perform their self-contained cabarets for corporate clients.
Sam Delaney
Sam Delaney is the editor of Heat Magazine as well as being a seasoned broadcaster on national TV and radio.
He can currently be seen every Wednesday morning on his regular news review slot on Sky New Sunrise.
Since 2007 he has been a regular voice on BBC Radio 5 Live, first as a sidekick to Eamonn Holmes then as a host on several of his own shows.
He has also written and presented documentaries for BBC Three, Channel Four and Channel 5 and previously worked as a news reporter for ITN.
Sam has also written and presented topical films for Al Gore’s Current TV.
A journalist with more than 12 years experience in the national press, Sam is a long time contributor to The Guardian and has also written for The Sunday Telegraph, The Independent, the NME, Cosmopolitan, Men’ Health, Shortlist and numerous others.
He is the author of two books: 2007’s Get Smashed – The Men Who Made The Ads that Changed Our Lives (Sceptre) and 2009’s Night Of The Living Dad – Confessions Of A Shabby Father (John Murray Publishing).
In a past life he was a tea boy for Gordon Brown.
www.samdelaney.tv
Giles Coren
Giles Coren is a writer, critic, columnist and television presenter. For the last seven years he has been the Times’ restaurant critic and has written a weekly opinion column for them for even longer than that. In 2005, he was named ‘Food and Drink Writer of the Year’ at the British Press Awards. In the same year, his first novel, ‘Winkler’, won the Literary Review’s Bad Sex Award. His 1997 ‘autobiography’ of James Dyson, ‘Against The Odds’, did not. But it was a bestseller In Britain, America and Japan.
He co-presented the first series of ‘The F-Word’ with Gordon Ramsay in 2005, hosted Five’s ‘Movie Lounge’ in 2006, and in the same year wrote and presented ‘Tax The Fat’, a controversial documentary for More4 which made him no friends in the fat community. Although people in the fat community are generally too busy eating to have time for friends, so no great loss there.
In 2007 he co-presented, with Olivia Judson, Channel 4’s three part documentary series about bio-technology in the food chain, ‘Animal Farm’, and in 2008, with Sue Perkins, finally did something quite good, presenting the six-part historical food series, ‘The Supersizers Go…’, which has just been nominated for Best Food Broadcast at the Guild of Food Writers Awards.
Nat Coombs
Nat Coombs is a British television presenter, comedian, producer and comedy writer who is also one of the founding partners of London based creative agency Intelligent.
Nat presents Five’s live ‘NFL’ coverage on Sunday and Monday nights and co-presents, writes and co-produces ‘NFL : UK’, a weekly magazine show aired every Saturday morning, also on FIVE.
His latest comedy venture, ‘‘Chelsey:OMG!’’ a comedy charting the trials and tribulations of an American girl visiting London, of which he created, and co-produced, (and occasionally appears in!) was aired on Bebo and to date has been watched by over 3 million people. Nat devised its innovative format, whereby members of the public can interact with the show’s characters. ‘‘Chelsey: OMG!’’ drew interest from a range of industry commentators, including Michael Moran in The Times and Victor Keegan in The Guardian.
He has worked on many television shows as a comedic talking head or panelist and regularly appears on BBC Radio Five Live. As a comedy writer and performer he works with the UK’s leading production companies.
Coombs’ started as out as a stand-up comic and he’s performed at leading venues across the UK as well as making regular radio and TV appearances. A semi-finalist in the ‘BBC New Comedy Awards’ and a runner-up for ITV’s ‘Stand-up Britain’ award, Coombs’ work has been variously described as “incredibly stylish, with up-to-the-minute stuff” (John Pidgeon) and “like The Strokes beating the s*** out of Westlife in a car park” (Time Out). He has also taken part in the ‘Just For Laughs’ comedy festival in Montreal, where, according to Variety magazine’s Tamsen Tillson he “set tongues wagging”.
Other notable achievements include hosting the ‘ILMC Music Conference’ at Claridges, appearing in an ad campaign for Levi’s and performing stand-up in Las Vegas. He is also an accomplished actor, most notably appearing alongside Dame Judi Dench in the BAFTA-nominated BBC drama ‘Can You Hear Me Thinking?’
Check out his showreel here: http://www.natcoombs.com/media.html
www.natcoombs.com
Gideon Coe
Gideon Coe has a long career in radio broadcasting. He joined GLR Breakfast Show in 1995, winning a Sony Award and went on to present various other programming, continuing when the station became London Live. He presented their evening show and won another Sony for his Saturday Sports Show.
Gideon now presents the 9pm til 12pm show on 6 Music – http://www.bbc.com/6music/shows/gideon_coe/ .
He is also a regular contributor to Loose Ends on BBc Radio 4.
On TV, Gideon has presented VH1’s “Something for the Weekend”. In demand as a narrator, Gid has recorded Channel 5’s “Rosemary on the Road” (Wall to Wall Prods), Channel 4’s “Top Ten TV Sexbombs” and “Top Ten TV Soap Queens” (Chrysalis TV), together with documentaries for Channel 5 on John Travolta, Jean Claude Van Damme, Jackie Chan, Evel Knievel and Bruce Lee! (Chrysalis TV).
Jamie Campbell
As producer and presenter, Jamie has made films for Channel 4 such as “Osama and US”, “Alex and I”, and “Don’t Panic”. For the BBC he has made “Martha and Me”, “Come Home Gary Glitter” and “Candid Cameron”.
He directed Giles Coren’s film “Tax the Fat” in 2006, and presented “24 Hours with…” for ITV.
He has written for the New Statesman, The Guardian, and the Mail on Sunday; and has just directed an advert for The Times.
To see Jamie in action please click on the link below:
http://chillibean.net/perl/vault-9.4.pl?TOKEN=9141C1E6-0466-11DC-9673-DF82B5603973
John Burton Race
John Burton Race was born in Singapore in 1957 and spent his early years travelling and experiencing food from all over the world. In 1983 John became a Sous chef at Les Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons, Oxford from where he went on to become Head chef and manager of Le Petit Blanc, Oxford until 1986. He then opened his own restaurant L’Ortolan, Berkshire, where he achieved and maintained two Michelin stars. In 2000 he opened John Burton Race, Landmark Hotel, London and reclaimed both Michelin stars within the first year of trading.
In 2002 John moved to France for a year to relearn and discover ingredients and his love of cooking after many years in the fast lane. Channel 4 screened the television series “French Leave” and John wrote the book that accompanied the series.
John moved back to Devon in 2003 and teaming up with head chefs Nigel Marriage and Robin Zavou, John opened “The New Angel” in Dartmouth, a series of which was made for Channel 4, with accompanying book.
John has taken part in “Through The Keyhole”, “Great British Menu” and “Britain’s Best Dish” and topped his year by participating in “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here”.
Most recently John can be seen as a regular guest on ‘Cooking The Books’ for channel 5.
photograph copyright Adam Lawrence.
J (Jason) Brown
J was the oldest member of the internationally successful pop band FIVE selling 20 million albums. Shortly after the band split in 2001,he was abducted by aliens who wanted to run tests on the mind of this rather complex and strange individual. They dumped him back on earth 6 years later after becoming completely dumbfounded by this crazy earthlings enigmatic and wily ways.
Since returning to earth, J has completely moved away from the music industry and is now wanting to immerse himself in various aspects of the tv/media world.
He is especially passionate about music, film, humour, non-dual philosophies, meeting new people, nature/life and anything that takes him out of his physical and psychological comfort zones.
Indeed, he took part in “I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here”, where his greatest achievement wasn’t coming third but was the fact that he managed to go three weeks without strangling Janice Dickinson! After this he also appeared as a part of Ant’s team on ITV1’s ‘‘Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway’’ and even lent his opinions to Fivers ‘‘Generation Sex’‘.
One of J’s perfect nights would be sitting in front of a blazing fire in the middle of a jungle with Ray Mears, Bruce Parry, music and some indigenous people whilst sampling some of the local vines. An horrendous night for J would be sat anywhere with Tony Blair and George W Bush, enough said?!
Six years away from the business has given him the opportunity to rebalance and refresh himself after the madness of being in Five, and he is now back with a deep hunger to be creative and to get busy again.
He was once known as “The bad boy of Pop” but is now more mellow than Bob Marley after a weekend in Amsterdam……and we love him for it!
Rory Bremner
Twenty-five years ago, Rory Bremner performed his first public impression. Nine years later, he starred in his first BBC series “Now For Something Else”. Today, he is widely rated as Britain’s sharpest impressionist – a one-man opposition party – with his weekly Channel Four show “Bremner, Bird & Fortune” (Vera Prods) and seasonal ‘specials’, regularly winning awards as the best satire on television. He ‘does’ over 100 people, from Tony Blair to Mohamed al Fayed.
His unique brand of comedy and satire has sustained a highly successful career in radio and television for over 25 years. Nowadays, he’s equally in demand as a columnist for newspapers and magazines, a documentary presenter and one of the country’s leading after-dinner speakers.
Rory was born in Edinburgh in 1961 and educated at Clifton Hall, Wellington College and King’s College, London, where he was made a Fellow in 2006. He is an Honorary Fellow of Queen Mary College.
Together with John Bird and John Fortune, his satirical programmes (Rory Bremner- Who Else 1992-97, Bremner, Bird and Fortune 1997-present) have been a mainstay of Channel 4’s output since 1992, winning a total of four BAFTAs and three RTS awards. The trio regularly produce specials, including a trilogy on Iraq (Between Iraq and a Hard Place, Beyond Iraq and a Hard Place and Beneath Iraq and a Hard Place) and a number of programmes charting the rise and fall of New Labour.
Their book ‘You Are Here’, (‘a stockpile of satirical ammunition’- Daily Telegraph) was published in 2005.
In 2008 they created a four-part satirical documentary series on the global financial crisis, Silly Money.
Prior to that, Rory had seven series on the BBC, from 1986 to 1992, winning the Special Award at the Golden Rose of Montreux in 1987. Over the last two decades, Rory’s appeared in many of the top TV comedy shows, from Spitting Image and Whose Line is it Anyway to Have I got News For You, Mock the Week, and QI. He’s appeared more than any other guest on Parkinson and Wogan.
He is a frequent guest on The Andrew Marr Show (BBC1) where he provides a satirical review of current political events through his many characters.
In 2008 he retraced his family history for Who Do You Think You Are (BBC 1, January 2009)
In addition to his many comedy appearances he has translated two operas (Carmen and Der Silbersee) and a Brecht play (A Respectable Wedding, for the Young Vic). He is a regular contributor to The Times, The Telegraph, The New Statesman and Radio Times, for whom he has interviewed Michael Parkinson and David Frost.
When not working he enjoys travel, opera, cooking, sport (especially cricket- he had a 1985 Top 20 hit as ‘The Commentators’ with N.n..nineteen not out) and motor racing- he owns a 1963 Alfa Spyder.
He lives in London and Oxfordshire with his wife, artist Tessa Campbell Fraser, and their two daughters Ava and Lila.
Jo Brand
Since leaving her job as a psychiatric nurse in 1987, Jo Brand has built a large following across the UK, male and female alike appearing initially on the Saturday Live television show.
In 1993 she became a resident panellist, along with Tony Hawks, on BBC monologue show The Brain Drain. Soon after, she had her hit “Through the Cakehole” (Channel X for Ch4) series met with great acclaim, as did her series “All the Way to Worcester” (Vera Prods for Ch4). Jo’s diverse appeal is marked by appearances on such eclectic programmes as “Question Time” (BBC) to “Nevermind the Buzzcocks” (TalkBack Prods for BBC) and “Countdown” (YTV for Ch4) to “They Think It’s All Over” (TalkBack Prods for BBC) and The Graham Norton Show (BBC). She presented “Jo Brand’s Commercial Breakdown” (Celador for BBC1), “Jo Brand’s Hot Potatoes” (Assembly Film & TV) and “Jo Brand’s Rudest Home Videos” (ITV1). She has just guest hosted “Have I Got News For You” (Hat Trick). She also appeared on Star Spell, a spin off from Hard Spell, during 2004, and in a bloomin’ fantastic cameo in Absolutely Fabulous.
In 2007, Jo narrated Laughter & Tears: The Les Dawson Story, a documentary tribute to Les Dawson. The programme was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 in October 2007.
Jo took part in the first celebrity version of Comic Relief does Fame Academy, and then in 2007, she appeared as a celebrity contestant on Comic Relief Does The Apprentice, again to raise money for Comic Relief. In 2009 she participated in Let’s Dance for Comic Relief, another Comic Relief fundraiser, dancing as Britney Spears (‘tis true), reaching the final. She has proved herself an un-willing fashion victim on the BBC1 special “What Not To Wear On The Red Carpet”, learnt the organ for BBC’s “Play it Again”, which she then played to a sell out crowd at the Royal Albert Hall, and she has also taken part in a charity celebrity carol singing choir!
She appeared as a judge in the BBC2 series The Speaker in April 2009. She offered her advice, along with John Amaechi and Jeremy Stockwell, in the eight-part series charting the search for “Britain’s Best Young Speaker’‘.
This year saw her write and star in the utterly marvellous, Getting On, in which she starred along co-writers Joanna Scanlan and Vicki Pepperdine, on BBC in July 2009. The series, set on a hospital’s geriatric ward, was partly inspired by her earlier career in nursing, and has been commisioned for a second series to begin filming in 2010.
A critically acclaimed writer, Jo has written the hits ‘A Load Of Old Balls’ and ‘A Load Of Old Ball Crunchers’ (both Simon & Schuster), ‘It’s Different For Girls’, ‘Sorting Out Billy’ and ‘The More You Ignore Me’ (all for Headline Review). Her autobiography ‘Look Back In Hunger’ is now available from all good stockists.
To top it off Jo is a popular host and cabaret artist for corporate events.
Photograph copyright of BBC
Adam Bloom
Adam Bloom was 18 months old when his parents nicknamed him “The Voice”! When he was 10, he told them he was going to be a comedian. By the age of 23, he was. He has appeared in Comedy Festivals all over the world, including numerous sell out Edinburgh shows. At the 1998 Festival Adam was featured in Channel 4’s “Edinburgh or Bust” (Angel Eye) and he also won the Polygram Punters’ Comedy Award for his show.
He has recorded and filmed sets for all of the radio and TV stand up shows (including the “The World Comedy Tour”), he has participated in the BBC children’s comedy show “Stitch Up” and most recently contributed to ITV2’s, “Comedy Cuts”.
Adam’s three radio series, “The Problem With…” have been highly rated on Radio 4.
www.adam-bloom.com
Matt Bell
Born in Lincoln in 1980 Matt swiftly escaped and has since led a surprisingly joyous life. Constantly moving to different parts of the country as a result of having a father in the Air Force he has acquired a nomadic approach to life and is comfortable in any situation.
Matt studied in performing arts at Stratford Upon Avon College and has acted in a multitude of productions, later leading in shows at the Edinburgh Festival. He took the lead in ‘Richard III’, ‘Revenge’ (Howard Brenton), ‘Peer Gynt’, ‘Titus Andronicus’ and Oscar Wilde’s ‘Childrens Tales’.
He graduated from Plymouth University in 2005 with a 2:1 in Moving Image Production and has worked his way up in the television ranks from runner to wardrobe assistant (‘In The Night Garden’) to eventually becoming a camera operator. He has shot a huge variety of pieces including a music video for Hard Fi, a commercial for Heineken, extreme sports TV programme ‘Adrenalin’ and BBC3s ‘I Wanna Be Jordan’.
He can now add ‘experienced presenter’ to his credits and you can catch Matt hosting ‘Hotel Inspector Uncovered’ on Fiver.
Matt has a deep interest in ecology and has lived with a tribe in the jungles of Ecuador, been a helicopter camera man, directed an award winning film and lived in a hippy commune in Southern Spain.
He is an experienced and highly competent skiier, used to race motocross bikes, can snowboard, came 8th in the European downhill mountain boarding championships in Cyprus in 2007 and can do the splits.
He also plays guitar and didgeridoo, is a keen martial artist – proficient in Thai boxing, Judo and Tae Kwon Do!
He has a morbid phobia of crabs and an overwhelming love of dogs. He hates people dropping litter and would like to see more of the world.
Watch Matt Bell in the new episode of ‘Neil Barnett’
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Gnaywd6TtY&feature=channel_page
You can also watch Matt Bell’s showreel at;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK6Eyb6w0NI
Zoe Ball
Zoë Ball needs very little introduction… After presenting the much lauded “Live & Kicking”, in 1999 she became the first woman to front the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show alone. Zoe continued her onscreen partnership with Jamie Theakston after ‘‘Live & Kicking’’ for four successful series of “The Priory” (Ginger Prods for Channel 4.)
Between 1996 and 1998 she was a regular presenter on Top of the Pops usually alternating with fellow presenters and DJs Jayne Middlemiss and Jo Whiley.
She co-hosted the 2002 BRIT Awards with Frank Skinner and returned to radio in mid 2002 when she joined London rock station XFM, where she presented the Weekday Drivetime show.
In 2005 after co-hosting the BBC reality show ‘‘Strictly Dance Fever’‘, Zoe tripped the light fantastic as a contestant on BBC1’s “Strictly Come Dancing” and embarked on a celebrity nationwide tour in 2008.
On ITV1, Zoe co-hosted the wildlife series “Extinct” with Trevor MacDonald, presented the second series of “Soapstar Superstar” for the same channel and went onto present ITV1’s nationwide search for a ‘Sandy’ and ‘Danny’ in “Grease Is The Word”.
Zoe has most recently completed filming the 8 part series Britains Best Brain alongside Jamie Theakston (once again!) soon to be aired on Channel 5.
Zoe also continues to host her Saturday morning breakfast show on Radio 2, 6am til 8am. http://www.bbc.com/radio2
Jason Attar
Jason Attar develops the quirkiest of comedy characters with a unique style that awakens your inner goon! Whether you want to cheer or chain up his urban underdogs, Jason has seen his other sides come to life on TV to great effect.
Starting his television career with short sketches on “Adam & Joe’s Takeover TV”, Jason then worked with Leigh Francis of “Bo Selecta”, performing on live shows for Nickelodeon. Jason has also featured in many ITV1 & 2 promotional campaigns working with Senior Promotions Director Niall Towell and watched closely by ITV2’s “Gagging For It” Executive Producers, he was snapped up to feature in a series of solo character sketches which opened every episode.
After having completed 10 short films for Paramount Comedy, Jason has worked on finely tuning his character gem, ‘Lesland’, who he has written a sitcom around and is now working on his new character Kevin Powder who features on BBC channel 4 radio.
Jason is a man of many guises, from working directly with the public in BBC1’s “Blagging It”, where he ordaciously ate food from peoples plates at an M56 service station, to clowning it up in his character garb, he’s a face to watch out for and a talent that refuses to go unnoticed!
Check Jason out here www.youtube.com/attar
Toby Amies
An accomplished presenter, broadcaster, filmmaker, writer and photographer, Toby is perhaps best known as the host of The Rough Guides on Five and Lonely Planet TV (Discovery Channels worldwide), as well as for his work with MTV both in Europe and the USA. He has hosted shows on HBO, BBC2, BBC4, Radio 4, VH1, ITV, Sky One and 93.7 KRQ – Tucson’s only hit music station! He is also an award-winning filmmaker and his photographs have been widely published and exhibited.
In 1995, Toby was poached from MCA Records by MTV, and spent 3 years working as news anchor, producer and presenter. He hosted the critically acclaimed specialist music show Alternative Nation as well as the channel’s flagship film programme The Big Picture. During this period, he also co-created the gossip/review show Hot , which launched in both Germany & Italy following its success in the UK, and he also presented the BAFTA award-winning Short Change for BBC2.
In 1998 Toby moved to MTV USA to launch their first live programme MTV Live and subsequently produced, directed & hosted the infamous and innovative US Top 20 (notorious for being the show that measured Long Island to check that it actually was long!).
Whilst in New York, Toby formed the band Genius Steals and directed pop videos as well as an award-winning short film The End of The World Again (winner of the ‘Dali Award’ at the International Surrealist Film Festival). Along the way, he acted in the film Brown Paper Wrapper alongside Moby, reported on Michael Moore’s The Awful Truth, enjoyed a supporting role in a TV drama for the Fox Network, hosted an HBO Sopranos Special and worked as a presenter for Film Four,
In 2002, he returned to the UK and the work has continued to flood in! He is a regular contributor to Radio 4 (his last documentary was nominated for the 2008 Prix Europa), hosted all three series of the Discovery Travel Channel’s people-based travel show Lonely Planet’s Six Degrees, presented on Kirsty Wark’s Tales From… for BBC4, and continues to work as a director for Channel 4 and The Arts Council, and as a photographer for the likes of Saga Magazine, BBC Music, Plan B and NME – to name but a few!
View Toby’s showreel here