Alistair McGowan

Alistair McGowan is probably best known to British audiences for The Big Impression - one of BBC1’s top-rating comedy programmes –winning numerous awards, including a BAFTA in 2003. He is a hugely charismatic awards host  and after dinner speaker .

After graduating from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1989, Alistair began working as a stand-up comic and was soon a regular at London’s Comedy Store and appeared at The Edinburgh Festival and performed at the 1996 Royal Variety Show.

Alistair provided many of the voices for the hit satirical puppet show 'Spitting Image'

Away from the screen, Alistair has been a staple on Radio 4 comedy shows including; Weekending, The Harpoon and he co-wrote and starred in four series of The Game's Up (a satirical sports show) on Radio Five.

He has also released two football comedy videos: Football Backchat and The Second Leg.

His prolific theatre work includes Kafka’s Dick and Clovin Endgame, Art, The Government Inspector, Merry Wives: The Musical and The Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors –for which he received an Olivier nomination.

He has hosted Have I Got News For You? and has been featured on the hugely popular Who Do You Think You Are?  Alistair was crowned overall winner of The Great Sports Relief Bake-off.

Alistair appeared in the film ‘My Life in Ruins ’opposite Nia Vardalos and Richard Dreyfuss.

A keen environmentalist, Alistair has never yet owned a car and is an ambassador for WWF-UK.