Norman Lovett

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox comedian Norman Lovett (born 31 October 1946) is a British stand-up comedian and actor best known for his portrayal of Holly, the ship's computer in Red Dwarf.

Career

Lovett became a stand-up comedian in his thirties, initially supporting punk bands in the late 1970s, before establishing himself on the alternative comedy scene during the 1980s.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He played London's Comedy Store on many occasions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

From 1989 to 1993, Lovett wrote and starred in his own surreal BBC2 sitcom called I, Lovett. He played a version of himself who is an inventor living in a world of surrealism with his talking dog, voiced by Geoffrey Hughes; spider, voiced by Mary Riggans; and talking inanimate objects.<ref name="List1">Template:Cite magazine</ref> During this time, he also wrote and starred in a one-off special called Lovett Goes To Town, which was aired as part of Galaxy series The Last Laugh.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1996, Lovett played a doctor in the short-lived sitcom Asylum, created by Edgar Wright, alongside Simon Pegg, Jessica Stevenson, Julian Barratt and an ensemble cast. Lovett later worked with Edgar Wright again on Is It Bill Bailey?, a stand-up/sketch series starring Bill Bailey.Template:Citation needed

Lovett's first television appearances include a stand-up performance on Pyjamarama in 1983, and a brief role in The Young Ones in the episode Summer Holiday. He appeared again with The Young Ones star Rik Mayall in sketches for UK music series The Tube, and television act The Dangerous Brothers.Template:Citation needed

Lovett has made a number of other acting appearances such as the Ghost of Christmas Past in a television adaptation of A Christmas Carol, Mr. Follett in The History of Tom Jones, the film The Criminal, BBC docudrama Seven Wonders of the Industrial World, as well as the BBC One sitcom Keeping Up Appearances. He also appeared in three episodes of drama The Bill, three episodes of the Scottish sitcom Rab C Nesbitt, an episode of EastEnders, comedy drama series Happy Families, and children's television series Gordon the Gopher. He played a supporting role in two series of the television series Don't Miss Wax, hosted by Ruby Wax.Template:Citation needed

In 2006, Lovett appeared in the comedy-horror film Evil Aliens. In 2013, he featured in the mockumentary feature film Behind the Scenes of Total Hell.Template:Citation needed

Lovett's comedy has a quiet, dead-pan surrealism, and in 2000, he made a successful stand-up tour, co-headlining with Chris Barrie, who played Rimmer in Red Dwarf.<ref name="Guardian1">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2008 Lovett co-headlined a stand-up tour with Hattie Hayridge, who played the female version of Holly in Red Dwarf.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His career as a stand-up comedian has included regular appearances at the Edinburgh Fringe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Comedian Stewart Lee has cited Lovett as an influence,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and on occasion the two have featured on the same bill, including an alternative comedy showcase event in 2011, curated by Lee at the Royal Festival Hall.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2008, Lovett released his first stand-up DVD Bags and Biscuits. In 2012, he released his second stand-up DVD, Norman Lovett: Outside the Box.

From 2014 to 2018, Lovett was a main cast member in BBC Radio 4 comedy To Hull and Back, alongside Maureen Lipman and series creator Lucy Beaumont.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Red Dwarf

Lovett played the role of Holly in Red Dwarf in its first and second series.<ref name="wharf-2009" /> Starting from the third series, Lovett declined to join the cast when Red Dwarf filming moved to London, while Lovett had moved to Edinburgh,<ref name="List1" /><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> with the distance between the two cities decreasing his willingness to participate.

Lovett returned in the seventh series as a guest star and the eighth as a regular. However, a disagreement with writer/producer Doug Naylor meant that for a period Lovett refused to take part in any further Red Dwarf productions.<ref name="wharf-2009">Template:Cite web</ref>

Following the success of Red Dwarf X, Lovett resumed contact with Naylor,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> resulting in his guest appearance in the twelfth series episode "Skipper".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After this, Lovett resumed his role as Holly in the 2020 special The Promised Land.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Lovett has also played the role of Holly in Red Dwarf-related releases, such as the "Tongue Tied" music video, a sketch for BBC's Children in Need, the interactive DVD game Beat the Geek, and additional footage filmed for Red Dwarf Remastered.

Other activities

Lovett is known for political activism. He has performed stand-up comedy on numerous occasions for 'Stand Up For Labour' in support of said party. In 2016, he was awarded Stand Up For Labour's Act of the Year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In September 2016, Lovett performed at the 'Keep Corbyn' rally in Brighton, in support of Jeremy Corbyn's campaign in the Labour Party leadership election.<ref name="doncasterfreepress">Template:Cite news</ref>

Lovett's voice is available as an in-game purchase in the 2014 game Elite Dangerous, allowing the user to customise the ships 'COVAS' speech system.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Lovett has stated that one of his personal career highlights was supporting punk rock band The Clash.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

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