John Thomson (comedian)

Infobox Comedian
name = John Thomson


imagesize =
caption =
birth_name = Patrick Francis McAleer
birth_date = birth date and age|1969|4|2|df=y
birth_place = Salford, England
medium = Stand up, television
nationality = English
active = 1980s – present
genre = Character comedy, improvisation
influences =
spouse = Samantha Sharp
(2005 – present)

John Patrick Thomson (born Patrick Francis McAleer, 2 April 1969) is an English comedian and actor, known for his roles in "The Fast Show" and "Cold Feet".

Early life

Thomson was born in 1969 in Salford, England to Mary McAleer, who would give him up six weeks later. He was adopted from a Catholic Rescue Centre by Andrew and Marita Thomson, a businessman and a bookseller from Didsbury. [BBC Northern Ireland (2004) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/northernireland/patrickkielty/guests/john_thomson.shtml Patrick Kielty Almost Live John Thomson Profile] . Retrieved on 2007-02-17] Hockney, Karen (2002) [http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,5-2002301828,,00.html "Everything is coming up roses for John the flowerpot man"] , "The Sun". Retrieved on 2007-02-17] He has one younger brother, Ben (born to his adoptive parents).Cooke, Rachel (2003-05-11) [http://observer.guardian.co.uk/review/story/0,,953294,00.html "Infamy, infamy ..."] , "The Observer". Retrieved on 2007-02-17] He attended All Hallows Catholic High school near Preston, 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". [Shimmon, Katie (2006-06-06) [http://education.guardian.co.uk/egweekly/story/0,,1790637,00.html "College days"] , "Guardian Unlimted". Retrieved on 2007-02-17]

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

Career

Comedy and television

While at university, Thomson met Steve Coogan, who secured him a job on "Spitting Image". They would continue to collaborate on such programmes as "Coogan's Run" , the Paul and Pauline Calf video diaries and "Knowing Me, Knowing You... with Alan Partridge", which he also contributed to writing. He also appeared in Coogan's live shows as compere 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.

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 "Jazz Club" host Louis Balfour that he is most remembered for, with the catchphrase, "Nice!" [Rampton, James (1999-01-02) [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19990102/ai_n9655047 "Staying In: Interview John Thomson: The very fast show"] , "The Independent". Retrieved on 2007-02-17] He also appeared in "The Fast Show Live" and the spin-off "Ted & Ralph".

In 1996 he appeared opposite Maureen Lipman as Bob Acres in "The Rivals" at the Royal Exchange, Manchester. [Wainwright, Jeffrey (1996-02-17) [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_19960217/ai_n14032628 "Theatre The Rivals, Royal Exchange, Manchester"] , "The Independent". Retrieved on 2007-02-17] Bourke, Kevin (2003-04-25) [http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/theatreanddance/s/56/56977_thomsons_choice.html "Thomson's Choice"] , "Manchester Evening News". Retrieved on 2007-02-17]

He made guest appearances on various series such as "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.

After "Cold Feet" wrapped, Thomson auditioned for the David E. Kelley series "The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire" [Bourke, Kevin (2003-04-25) [http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/theatreanddance/s/57/57137_cold_feet_star_set_for_city_dates.html "Cold Feet star set for city dates"] , "Manchester Evening News". Retrieved on 2007-02-17] before returning to the Royal Exchange to appear in "Hobson's Choice" (helped by his acclaimed performance in "The Rivals"). "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". [Walker, Lynne (2003-05-27) [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_20030527/ai_n12689472 "Theatre: A choice evening of comic charm"] , "The Independent". Retrieved on 2007-02-17] His performance led to a Manchester Evening News Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. [Anonymous (2003-11-11) [http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/news/MENA2003-nom.htm "Manchester Evening News Awards 2003"] , "The British Theatre Guide". Retrieved on 2007-02-17]

That same year he participated in the BBC series "Comic Relief does Fame Academy". He was the fourth "student" to be "expelled". [Press release (2003-03-03) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/03_march/03/fame_academy.shtml "Comic Relief Does Fame Academy – celebrity students revealed"] , "BBC Press Office". Retrieved on 2007-02-17] [Press release (2003-03-10) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2003/03_march/10/fameacad_john.shtml "Comic Relief Does Fame Academy – John Thomson packs his bags"] , "BBC Press Office". Retrieved on 2007-02-17] He lent his voice to the revived BBC children's series "Bill and Ben" and a character 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. [Press release (2006-04-25) [http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/04_april/25/new_johnthomson.shtml "John Thomson plays Charlie Darling"] , "BBC Press Office". Retrieved on 2007-02-17]

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. [Deans, Jason (2007-02-26, [http://media.guardian.co.uk/overnights/story/0,,2021645,00.html "ITV's Lewis tops Sunday night TV"] , "Guardian Unlimited". Retrieved on 2007-04-19] 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". [Press release (undated) [http://www.itv.com/page.asp?partid=7699 "Exclusive interview with John Thomson"] , "ITV Dramas". Retrieved on 2007-03-15] 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. [cite news|title= Stephen Fry returns to his Kingdom|url= http://www.whatsontv.co.uk/news/3570|work= What's on TV|date= 2008-07-01|accessdate= 2008-07-04] In October 2008, Thomson will film a three-episode guest stint on the ITV soap "Coronation Street", playing children's entertainer Jessie. The episodes are scheduled to air before the end of the year, with the possibility of Thomson returning for a longer run in 2009. [Green, Kris (2 September 2008). " [http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/soaps/a128679/kingdom-actor-joins-weatherfield-soap.html Kingdom actor joins Wetherfield soap] ", "Digital Spy". Retrieved on 2 September 2008.]

Radio

In January 2008 he played Mike (Topaz) in BBC Radio 4's comedy drama series 'Pick Ups'. [ [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4//comedy/pickups.shtml BBC Radio 4 - Pick Ups ] ]

Since 12 April 2008, Thomson has presented the Saturday lunchtime slot on BBC Radio Manchester. [cite news|first=John|last=Plunkett|title=Fast Show star John Thomson gets BBC Radio show|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/mar/31/bbc.radio|work=Guardian.co.uk|date=2008-03-31|accessdate=2008-04-05]

Personal life

Thomson married long-term girlfriend Samantha Sharp in 2005 and they have one daughter, Olivia (born 2002).

elected filmography

* "" (2005) (voice) ... Mr. Windfall
* "Blackpool" (2004) (miniseries) ... Terry Corlette
* "24 Hour Party People" (2002) ... Charles
* "Bill and Ben" (2001) (TV series) (voice) ... Bill and the Narrator
* "Cold Feet" (1998) (TV series) ... Pete Gifford
* "The Man Who Knew Too Little" (1997) ... Dimitri
* "Men Behaving Badly" (1996) (TV Series) ... Ken
* "The Young Poisoner's Handbook" (1995) ... Nathan
* "The Fast Show" (1994) (TV series) ... Various
* "Spitting Image" (1984) (TV series) (voice) ... Various

References

External links

*imdb name|id=0861027|name=John Thomson