John Thomson (comedian)

John Patrick Thomson (born Patrick Francis McAleer; 2 April 1969) is an English comedian, narrator and actor best known for his roles in The Fast Show, Men Behaving Badly, Cold Feet, 24 Hour Party People, Grimsby and Coronation Street.

Early life

Thomson was born in 1969 in Walkden, Worsley, Lancashire,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> to Mary McAleer, who gave him up for adoption six weeks later. He was adopted from the Catholic Children's Rescue Society<ref>Catholic Children's Rescue Society Template:Webarchive.</ref> by Andrew and Marita Thomson, a businessman and a bookseller from Didsbury.<ref>BBC Northern Ireland (2004) Patrick Kielty Almost Live John Thomson Profile Template:Webarchive. Retrieved on 2007-02-17</ref> He has one younger brother, Ben (born to his adoptive parents).<ref name="cooke">Cooke, Rachel (2003-05-11) "Infamy, infamy ...", The Observer. Retrieved on 2007-02-17</ref> He attended All Hallows Catholic High School near Preston, Lancashire, leaving with three O-levels. He then attended Runshaw College between 1985 and 1987, studying for four A-levels, including theatre studies. He was described as "clearly [having] a talent for comedy".<ref>Shimmon, Katie (2006-06-06) "College days", Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved on 2007-02-17</ref>

Following this, he turned down a scholarship in America, to study drama at Manchester Polytechnic instead.

Career

Comedy and television

While at university, Thomson met Steve Coogan, who secured him a job on Spitting Image.<ref name="cooke"/> They continued to collaborate on such programmes as The Dead Good Show, a 1993 Granada TV pilot also starring Caroline Aherne, Coogan's Run, the Paul and Pauline Calf video diaries (in which he played Fat Bob) and Knowing Me, Knowing You... with Alan Partridge, for which he also wrote. He also appeared in Coogan's live shows as compère Bernard Righton and the two would be reunited in the 2002 film 24 Hour Party People. The two won the Perrier Comedy Award in 1992 for their act at the Edinburgh Fringe.<ref name="cooke"/>

Thomson also played supporting roles in the first series of the Stewart Lee and Richard Herring vehicle, Fist of Fun.

In 1994, Thomson appeared in the BBC sketch series The Fast Show, remaining with it until it ended in 2001. Thomson played memorable characters such as Chip Cobb, the deaf stuntman, and Roger the Nouveau football fan, but it is as "Jazz Club" host Louis Balfour that he is most remembered, with the catchphrase, "Nice!"<ref name="cooke"/><ref>Rampton, James (1999-01-02) "Staying In: Interview John Thomson: The very fast show", The Independent. Retrieved on 2013-01-31</ref> He also appeared in The Fast Show Live and the spin-off Ted and Ralph.

In 1996, he appeared opposite Maureen Lipman as Bob Acres in The Rivals at the Royal Exchange, Manchester.<ref>Wainwright, Jeffrey (1996-02-17) "Theatre The Rivals, Royal Exchange, Manchester" Template:Webarchive, The Independent. Retrieved on 2007-02-17</ref><ref name="Bourke">Bourke, Kevin (2003-04-25) "Thomson's Choice", Manchester Evening News. Retrieved on 2007-02-17</ref>

He made guest appearances on various series such as Coronation Street, Soldier Soldier and Men Behaving Badly in the 1990s before being cast as Pete Gifford in the ITV comedy drama Cold Feet. Thomson was known to the producers, who had previously cast him in a one-off drama called The Perfect Match. A series was commissioned that ran until 2003 and earned him a nomination for Best TV Comedy Actor at the British Comedy Awards 2001. Granada Television filmed a comedy drama called Stan the Man in 2002 in which Thomson starred as Stanley Tully a would-be entrepreneur. Some of the filming was done in south Manchester suburbs.<ref>South Manchester Reporter; 22 March 2002, p. 9</ref>

After Cold Feet wrapped, Thomson appeared in the Royal Exchange's production of Hobson's Choice (helped by his acclaimed performance in The Rivals<ref name="Bourke"/>). The Independent described his performance as Willie as "an extremely well-judged performance. With the slightest physical gesture and merest facial expression he conveys disbelief, reluctance, panic and finally acceptance of his fate at the hands of manipulative Maggie".<ref>Walker, Lynne (2003-05-27) "Theatre: A choice evening of comic charm" Template:Webarchive, The Independent. Retrieved on 2007-02-17</ref> His performance led to a Manchester Evening News Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role.<ref>Anonymous (2003-11-11) "Manchester Evening News Awards 2003" Template:Webarchive, The British Theatre Guide. Retrieved on 2007-02-17</ref>

That same year he participated in the BBC series Comic Relief does Fame Academy, being the fourth "student" to be "expelled".<ref>Press release (2003-03-03) "Comic Relief Does Fame Academy – celebrity students revealed", BBC Press Office. Retrieved on 2007-02-17</ref><ref>Press release (2003-03-10) "Comic Relief Does Fame Academy – John Thomson packs his bags", BBC Press Office. Retrieved on 2007-02-17</ref> and in 2004, he appeared in the musical drama Blackpool as Tony Corlette.

He has also lent his voice to the revived BBC children's series Bill and Ben and Mr Windfall in Wallace & Gromit in The Curse of the Were-Rabbit. Another television series, New Street Law, about a Manchester chambers, started in 2006. Thomson plays "lovable rogue" barrister Charlie Darling alongside co-star John Hannah. The second series began in January 2007.<ref>Press release (2006-04-25) "John Thomson plays Charlie Darling", BBC Press Office. Retrieved on 2007-02-17</ref>

In February 2007, he played Sir Alan Prentice, in Kombat Opera Presents... The Applicants, a spoof opera of the BBC series The Apprentice. The programme attracted 700,000 viewers according to unofficial overnights.<ref>Deans, Jason (26-02-2007, "ITV's Lewis tops Sunday night TV", Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved on 2007-04-19</ref> In March 2007 he appeared as hypnotherapist Ray Bould in the three-part ITV thriller, Mobile. The producers had Thomson lined up for the role of DI Fleming, but he wanted to read for Bould because he "was up against a friend for the same part".<ref>Press release (undated) "Exclusive interview with John Thomson"Template:Dead link, ITV Dramas. Retrieved on 2007-03-15</ref> Later that year he filmed a guest appearance as Nigel Pearson in a second series episode of Kingdom. He returned as a full-time cast member for the third series.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In October 2008, Thomson filmed a three-episode guest stint on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street, playing electrician-cum-children's entertainer Jesse, which aired in December. In January 2009, it was announced that he would reprise the role for six months.<ref>Green, Kris (21 January 2009). "Thomson to make permanent Corrie return", Digital Spy. Retrieved on 21 January 2009.</ref> Jesse returned to Coronation Street in June, beginning a relationship with Eileen Grimshaw (Sue Cleaver). He left 2010, after his contract was not renewed.<ref>Kilkelly, Daniel (16 February 2010). "John Thomson leaving Corrie role". Digital Spy. Retrieved on 16 February 2010.</ref> Later that same year, he portrayed H.V. Kershaw in The Road to Coronation Street, a dramatisation of Coronation StreetTemplate:'s development in the 1960s.

In 2011, Thomson joined the cast of the BBC television series Waterloo Road.<ref>Daniels, Colin (29 May 2011). "'Waterloo Road' casts Paul Nicholls, John Thomson". Digital Spy. Retrieved on 31 May 2011.</ref>

Later in 2011, it was announced that Thomson would be appearing next to the original cast (with the exception of Mark Williams) in six online-only episodes of The Fast Show sponsored by lager brand, Foster's<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> due to launch on 10 November 2011.

Also in 2011, John was a contestant on the ITV celebrity reality series 71 Degrees North.

In 2015, he joined the cast of After Hours as loveable Geoff, reuniting with his old friends Craig Cash and Caroline Aherne, who played his wife Sheila. During filming Thomson was attacked by a swan on set, footage being shown on ITV's This Morning.

Thomson was a contestant in the 2013 series of Celebrity MasterChef. Since 2015, Thomson has starred in The Keith Lemon Sketch Show, playing various characters.

He narrates the Channel 4 series Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners and in September 2015, he became the new narrator of Police Interceptors. He stars in the Sky1 comedy drama After Hours, directed by Craig Cash.

From 2016, Thomson began narrating Channel 5 show Bargain-Loving Brits in the Sun - a show about British expats who have moved to Spain to begin a new life in the sun.<ref name="auto">Template:Citation</ref>

On 18 November 2017, Thomson was a contestant in the reboot of The Weakest Link for Children in Need.

In 2018, Thomson was a contestant in Dara O Briain's Go 8 Bit.

In 2019, he starred in the comedy clip show, Zone of Champions.

In 2020, Thomson voiced the character of Dog in the CBeebies show, Dog Loves Books.

In 2021, Thomson participated on the second series of The Masked Singer, masked as Bush Baby. He finished in 8th place.

In December 2022, Thomson landed the role of villain Abanazar in a pantomime production of "Aladdin" at Derby Arena.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2024, Thomson appeared as DI Warren Bull in a 2-part episode of Silent Witness called "Grievance Culture".

Radio

In January 2008, he played Mike (Topaz) in the BBC Radio 4 comedy drama series Pick Ups.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 12 April 2008, Thomson began hosting the Saturday lunchtime slot on BBC Radio Manchester.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His stint ended on 22 November 2008.

Since 2016, Thomson has been a team captain on the BBC Radio 4 panel show Gaby's Talking Pictures, presented by Gaby Roslin.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

From 26 to 29 December 2023, Thomson presented a four part series for Absolute Radio titled 12 Drummers Drumming, which looked into twelve drummers from the worlds of rock, pop, jazz and rhythm and blues.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Thomson married longtime girlfriend Samantha Sharp in 2005 and they have two daughters; Olivia (born 2002) and Sophia Melody (born 2010).<ref>Kilkenny, Daniel (31 March 2010). "John Thomson welcomes baby girl". Digital Spy. Retrieved on 2 April 2010.</ref> They divorced in 2015.

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1995	The Young Poisoner's Handbook	Nathan
1997	The Man Who Knew Too Little	Dimitri
	The Girl with Brains in Her Feet	Mr. Loughborough
1998	Up 'n' Under	Stan
2002	24 Hour Party People	Charles
2005	Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit	Mr. Windfall (voice)
2008	Inkheart	Darius
2016	Grimsby	Bob Tolliver<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1990	Spitting Image	Various characters (voices)
1990, 2008–2010, 2024	Coronation Street	Gary (1990)
		Jesse Chadwick (2008–2010, 2024)
1994	Knowing Me, Knowing You...with Alan Partridge	Various characters
1994–2001	The Fast Show	Various characters
1995	Fist of Fun	Various characters
1995–1997	Crapston Villas	Various characters
1996	Men Behaving Badly	Ken
1997–2003, 2016–2020	Cold Feet	Pete Gifford
1998-2000	Playing the Field	Eddie Ryan
2001–2002	Bill and Ben	Bill, Slowcoach, Whoops, Tad & Narrator (voices)
2004	Blackpool	Terry Corlette
2005	John Thomson's RedHotPoker	Presenter
2005–2010	Fifi and the Flowertots	Diggly
2007–2009	Kingdom	Nigel Pearson
2008	Skins	Sam Brooks
2009	Big Top	Plonky the Clown/Uncle Geoff
2011	Death in Paradise	DI Chris Ricketts	1 episode
	71 Degrees North	Participant
2011, 2013	Waterloo Road	Nelson Smith
2013	Celebrity MasterChef	Contestant
	Dementamania	Mikey Moran
2013–2014	Strange Hill High	Various characters (voices)
2013–	Obsessive Compulsive Cleaners	Narrator
2015	After Hours	Geoff
	Casualty	Dave Barratt	1 episode
	The Job Lot	Kevin	1 episode
2015–2016	Obsessive Compulsive Country House Cleaners	Narrator
	The Keith Lemon Sketch Show	Various characters
2015–	Police Interceptors	Narrator
	You Saw Them Here First	Narrator
	Scream Street	Various characters (voices)
2016	Billionaire Boy	Len	One-off TV special
	The Saturday Show	Guest co-presenter	1 episode
	Comedy Playhouse: Stop/Start	Evan	1 episode
	Bargain Shop Wars	Narrator
	Celebrity Haunted Hotel Live	Participant
	The Moonstone	Sergeant Cuff
2016-2022	Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun	Narrator	67 episodes<ref name="auto"/>
2017	Trollied	Tim/Tom
2018	Go 8 Bit	Contestant
	Shane The Chef	JG (voice)
2019	A Confession	Ray
2019, 2022	Richard Osman's House of Games	Himself (participant)	10 episodes, including House of Champions
2020	Dog Loves Books	Dog (voice)
2021-2022	Bargain Loving Brits by the Sea	Narrator	12 episodes
2021, 2022	The Masked Singer	Bush Baby	Series 2, Guest appearance in I’m A Celeb Special 2022
2022	Father Brown	John Banks	1 episode
	Dodger	Farmer Grundles	2 episodes
2024	Silent Witness	DI Warren Bull	2 episodes

External links

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