Birthday:
12-03-1952
Deathday:
07-19-2013 (60 years)
Birthplace:
Chiswick, London, England, UK
Biography
Melvin Kenneth "Mel" Smith (December 3, 1952 – July 19, 2013) was an English comedian, writer, film director, producer, and actor. He is most famous for his work on the sketch comedy shows Not the Nine O'Clock News and Alas Smith and Jones along with his comedy partner Griff Rhys Jones.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Mel Smith, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Description above from the Wikipedia article Mel Smith, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
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Their works
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The Princess Bride
Act like The Albino
event1987 star_border 7.7
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In this enchantingly cracked fairy tale, the beautiful Princess Buttercup and the dashing Westley must overcome staggering odds to find happiness amid six-fingered swordsmen, murderous princes, Sicilians and rodents of unusual size. But even death can't stop these true lovebirds from triumphing.
National Lampoon's European Vacation
Act like Hotel Manager
event1985 star_border 6.2
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The Griswolds win a vacation to Europe on a game show, and so pack their bags for the continent. They do their best to catch the flavor of Europe, but they just don't know how to be be good tourists. Besides, they have trouble taking holidays in countries where they CAN speak the language.
Father Christmas
Act like Father Christmas (voice)
event1991 star_border 6.4
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Classic animation based on Raymond Briggs' book. What does Father Christmas do with himself for the other 364 days of the year ?
Brain Donors
Act like Rocco Melonchek
event1992 star_border 6.1
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Three manic idiots—a lawyer, a cab driver and a handyman—team up to run a ballet company to fulfil the will of a millionaire. Stooge-like antics result as the trio try to outwit the rich widow and her scheming big-shot lawyer, who also wants to run the ballet.
Morons from Outer Space
Act like Bernard
event1985 star_border 4.7
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The story begins on a small spaceship docking with a refueling station. On board are a group of four aliens, Bernard, Sandra, Desmond, and Julian. During a particularly tedious period of their stay at the station, the other three begin playing with the ship’s controls while Bernard is outside playing spaceball. They accidentally disconnect his part of the ship, leaving him stranded while they crash into a large blue planet close by...
Restless Natives
Act like Pyle
event1985 star_border 6.7
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Two lads in Edinburgh embark on a non-violent spree of robberies. They dress up in clown masks and act as modern highwaymen, robbing coach loads of tourists in the highlands. In the process they become folk heroes to the locals. Their adventures make for a whimsical and gentle comedy, in the Bill Forsyth vein.
Wilt
Act like Inspector Flint
event1989 star_border 6.2
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Henry Wilt is a more or less failed teacher who fantasizes about murdering his dominant, non-attentive wife Eva. At a party who gets stuck in an inflatable doll and makes a complete fool of himself. Eventually, he dumps the doll in a hole at a building site. However, he has been witnessed getting rid of the doll and when his wife disappears on the night after the party, the police and Inspector Flint have strong suspicions on Mr Wilt.
Twelfth Night
Act like Sir Toby Belch
event1996 star_border 6.9
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Shakespeare's comedy of gender confusion, in which a girl disguises herself as a man to be near the count she adores, only to be pursued by the woman he loves.
Bullshot
Act like Crouch
event1983 star_border 5.5
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The dashing Captain Hugh "Bullshot" Crummond - WWI ace fighter pilot, Olympic athlete, racing driver, part-time sleuth and all round spiffing chap - must save the world from the dastardly Count Otto van Bruno, his wartime adversary. And, of course, win the heart of a jolly nice young lady.
The Riddle
Act like Professor Cranshaw
event2007 star_border 4.8
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A journalist investigates a series of murders that follows the discovery of an unpublished novel by Charles Dickens in the cellar of an old Thames pub.
The Lord of the Rings
Act like Character Actor (voice)
event1978 star_border 6.6
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The Fellowship of the Ring embark on a journey to destroy the One Ring and end Sauron's reign over Middle-earth.
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase
Act like Mr. Grimshaw
event1989 star_border 5.6
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A Dickensian mock-Gothic tale of resourceful children, evil governesses, forged wills, cruel orphanages, and goodness triumphant set against an isolated country house, in an alternate 19th century where savage packs of wolves roam the snowbound countryside.
Slayground
Act like Terry Abbatt
event1983 star_border 4.6
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Stone (Peter Coyote) hits an armored truck without his usual driver. The ensuing getaway leads to the death of an innocent. The payback is swift and brutal. The wronged father hires a twisted, sociopathic assassin to avenge his loss. One by one the offenders are punished through grisly executions. Stone uses his wits to find a reclusive friend Terry (Mel Smith) just in time for a psychedelic funhouse showdown with his stalker.
Number One
Act like Billy Evans
event1985 star_border 5
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A down on his luck Irishman in London decides to play snooker for money.
Consenting Adults
Act like David Maxwell Fyfe
event2007 star_border 5.7
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Fifty years ago, a Home Office committee chaired by Wolfenden, then vice-chancellor of Reading University, recommended the decriminalization of homosexuality. But behind the scenes of what was to become a turning point in British social history, there was an even more extraordinary story. Jack's son Jeremy, then a brilliant undergraduate at Oxford, was himself gay, something his father could not bring himself to acknowledge.
Not Again: Not the Nine O'Clock News
Act like Self
event2009 star_border 6
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A look behind the scenes of satirical sketch show Not the Nine O'Clock News.
Amnesty International's Big 30
Act like Self
event1991 star_border 4
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In the tradition of the acclaimed series of British concerts known as The Secret Policemen's Ball, Amnesty International celebrates its 50th Anniversary live at Radio City Music Hall.
Bloody Kids
Act like Disco Doorman
event1980 star_border 6.4
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Contemptuous of the fallible police force (Mike has already filched a police hat from an accident scene), two 11-year-old boys - the cold, manipulative Leo, and his weaker, more impressionable friend, Mike - arrange a staged knife fight outside a football stadium with the aid of a bag of stage blood and a real blade.
Some Interesting Facts About Peter Cook
Act like self
event1995
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A documentary about the life of British satirist and founder of 'Private Eye' Peter Cook.
“marvelous, engrossing tribute” Allison Pearson, The Observer
“painstakingly constructed.. sharp yet sensitive” Victor Lewis-Smith
Babylon
Act like Alan
event1980 star_border 6.8
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Drama telling the story of Blue, a young man of Jamaican descent living in Brixton in 1980, as he hangs out with his friends, fronts a dub sound system, loses his job, struggles with family problems and has his friendships tested by racism.
The Grand Knockout Tournament
Act like Self
event1987 star_border 6
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The Grand Knockout Tournament (colloquially also known as It's a Royal Knockout) was a one-off charity event which was shown on British television on 19 June 1987. It followed the format of It's a Knockout, a slapstick TV gameshow which was broadcast in the UK until 1982. The event was staged on the lakeside lawn of the Alton Towers stately home-cum-theme park.
Smith & Jones - One Night Stand
event1994 star_border 8
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Smith and Jones debate on an awe inspiring range of themes from Devon to death, self assembly furniture to the summer of love and aids to anal retention.
Comedians Do It On Stage
Act like Self
event1986
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A Group of Britain's top comedy and music performers gather at a London Theater, to give their support to the Oncology Club Fund. The Fund is a charitable organization which provides training for young doctors in the practical day to day care of patients with cancer.
My Angel
Act like Uncle Richard
event2011 star_border 4
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Fifteen year old Eddie's mother falls very ill after a serious car accident. Eddie and his brother Stewart end up having to take care of themselves and one night when they have ran out of food and electricity, Eddie dreams that his mother asks him to find an angel's halo so that she can be saved. Will Eddie be able to save his mother in time for Christmas?
Art Deco Detective
Act like Porno Movie Director
event1994 star_border 5.2
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While investigating the murder of a movie star, a detective finds that he himself is being set up for the crime.
Milner
Act like Stephen Milner
event1994 star_border 6
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Stephen Milner is a solicitor, but he fits uneasily into the world of Lewis Strange and Partners, who are an upmarket firm of solicitors. The film follows Milner's fraught relationship with a lucrative client, Ron Jesson. When one of his offices goes up in flames, the press are convinced that Ron arranged the fire for insurance purposes. Milner also has to cope with an estranged wife, batty mother and debt ridden younger brother.
Dreams of Leaving
Act like Xan
event1980 star_border 7
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William came to work in Fleet Street in 1971. London meant girls, as many girls as he could find. Then he met Caroline and so it began, that very strange summer ... Caroline said the best of her life.
The Best of Not The Nine O'Clock News
event2006 star_border 6.5
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Attention, comedy fans: NOT THE NINE O'CLOCK NEWS is the real thing. This is scathing, no-holds-barred Brit humor at its best. Rapid-fire skits starring Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean) are as politically incorrect as they are side-bustingly funny, sparing no one as they take on the British Royal Family, Margaret Thatcher, Scotland Yard, country music, Christianity, devil worship, punk rock and bathroom etiquette. NOT THE NINE O'CLOCK NEWS is so irreverent that when the pilot was due to air in April 1979, the BBC cancelled it due to its incendiary political content. When at last it aired, the greatest comedy group to hit England since Monty Python's Flying Circus stormed the airwaves and revolutionized British and American television alike. Discover the show that set the standard for the anarchic cynicism that defined the alternative comedy of the 80's.
Rock & Chips
Act like DI Thomas
event2010 star_border 6.2
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Prequel to Only Fools and Horses, set in the 1960s. Joan Trotter is in an unhappy marriage with the work-shy Reg, with whom she has a teenage son, Derek ('Del Boy'). However, the reappearance in Peckham of bank robber, 'art connoisseur' and womaniser Freddie Robdal, recently released after a ten year prison sentence, would bring about changes in her life.
Finland For Adults
Act like Santa Claus
event1987
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A short film staring British comedians Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones that seeks to update the Santa Claus myth. Made for the Finnish tourist board
The Tall Guy
Act like Drunk at Party
event1989 star_border 5.7
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An American actor in England tries to find love and work.
Blackball
Act like Bowls Commentator (voice)
event2003 star_border 5.3
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Blackball follows the fortunes of Cliff Starkey, a working-class fine of lawn bowls with an exceptional talent. Wanting to take on the Aussies he manages to become regional champion, only to get banned. Sports agent Rich Schwartz picks him up and makes him so popular the Bowls Committee deem to lift the ban. Now the question is whether he can regain his form and his friends to beat the Aussies.
Live Aid
Act like Self
event1985 star_border 7.9
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Live Aid was held on 13 July 1985, simultaneously in Wembley Stadium in London, England, and the John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, United States. It was one of the largest scale satellite link-ups and television broadcasts of all time: watched live by an estimated global audience of 1.9 billion, across 150 nations. "It's twelve noon in London, seven AM in Philadelphia, and around the world it's time for Live Aid...!"
Smith and Jones: The Home-Made Xmas Video
Act like Len
event1987 star_border 6.5
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Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jone star in festive special about a family with a video camera. Christmas usually means a little over-indulgence, but to the Aldershot family it is an orgy of hitherto uncharted proportions.
Mel Smith: I've Done Some Things
Act like Self (archive footage)
event2013 star_border 4
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A tribute to British comedian Mel Smith, who died in July 2013, aged 60, featuring home video footage, rare archive material and many classic sketches. Far more than a comic actor, Smith also wrote and edited a host of celebrated TV comedies in the 1980s and 90s. He was a theatre and film director, and as a TV producer he was responsible for several innovative comedy series. Friends and colleagues, including Griff Rhys Jones, John Lloyd and Richard Curtis, talk about Smith's talents, both in front of- and behind the camera. The programme also traces his time at Oxford and, before that, Latymer Upper School, where Smith's talents were first spotted.
The Story of Bean
Act like himself
event1997 star_border 7.1
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Pending release of the movie "Bean," Rowan Atkinson reflects on his comedy career and reveals how his comic creation Mr Bean evolved. This 1997 documentary includes career clips as well as interviews with Atkinson, writers Richard Curtis and Ben Elton, British comedians Lenny Henry and Mel Smith and movie celebrities Jeff Goldblum and Burt Reynolds.
High Heels and Low Lifes
Act like Man at Train Station (uncredited)
event2001 star_border 6
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A nurse eavesdrops with a friend on a cell phone conversation that describes a bank heist. She and the friend then conspire to blackmail the robbers for $2 million.
Peter Cook: At a Slight Angle to the Universe
Act like Self
event2002
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TV documentary tracing the life of the comedian and satirist from his school days, through the Cambridge Footlights, to Beyond the Fringe and his partnership with Dudley Moore. With contributions from Cook's school friends Peter Rabey and Jonathan Harlow; Cook's first wife Wendy Cook; Cambridge University friends Tim Harrold and Roger Law; Adrian Slade (ex-president of Cambridge Footlights); Jonathan Miller; Sir David Frost; Ned Sherrin; John Bassett (creator, Beyond The Fringe); Willie Donaldson (producer, Beyond The Fringe); John Cleese; Eric Idle; Michael Parkinson; Brenda Vaccaro; John Fortune; Nicholas Luard (co-owner with Cook of The Establishment club); actress Gaye Brown; Christopher Booker; Ian Hislop; Victor Lownes and Michael Bawtree (friends of Cook); Joe McGrath; Dick Clement; Mel Smith; Clive Anderson; tv producer and executive Paul Jackson; Harry Enfield, radio presenter Clive Bull, and archival interview footage of both Cook and Dudley Moore.
The Snowman
Act like Father Christmas - 20th Anniversary version (voice) (uncredited)
event1984 star_border 7.5
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A young boy makes a snowman one Christmas Eve, which comes to life at midnight and takes him on a magical adventure to the North Pole to meet Santa Claus.
Alas Smith and Jones
(62 ep.)
event1984 star_border 7.2
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A British comedy sketch television series featuring Mel Smith and Griff Rhys Jones that ran on BBC One and BBC Two from 31 January 1984 to 14 October 1998. From series 5 in 1989 the 'Alas' title was dropped and became simply Smith and Jones.
The Kenny Everett Video Show
(2 ep.)
event1978 star_border 7.7
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The Kenny Everett Video Show (later renamed The Kenny Everett Video Cassette) was a British television comedy and music programme made by Thames Television for ITV from 3 July 1978 to 21 May 1981.
Hustle
Act like Benny Frazier (1 ep.)
event2004 star_border 7.6
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A motley group of London con artists pull of a series of daring and intricate stings.
The Goodies
(1 ep.)
event1970 star_border 7.5
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A British television comedy series of the 1970s and early 1980s, combining surreal sketches and situation comedy.
Not the Nine O'Clock News
(27 ep.)
event1979 star_border 7
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Classic sketch comedy show satirising the news and culture of the late 70s and early 80s which introduced Rowan Atkinson, Mel Smith, Griff Rhys Jones and Pamela Stephenson.
The Young Ones
Act like Grenada Security Guard (1 ep.)
event1982 star_border 7.9
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The misadventures of four lunatic students who live in a shared student house. There's Rick, the overblown political one addicted to Cliff Richard, Vyvyan the experimental scientific one/part-time anarchist, Neil the worried hippy, and Mike the ladies' man (at least he is in his mind).
Colin's Sandwich
Act like Colin Watkins (12 ep.)
event1988 star_border 6
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Colin's Sandwich is a British sitcom broadcast on BBC2 in 1988 and 1990 which stars Mel Smith as Colin Watkins, a British Rail clerk who aspired to be a horror writer. The show was written by Paul Smith and Terry Kyan and ran for two series of six episodes. In the second series, Colin manages to achieve some small successes as a writer.
Celebrity Mastermind
Act like Himself (1 ep.)
event2003 star_border 6
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Celebrity Mastermind is a British television quiz show broadcast by BBC television. The show is a spin-off of the long-running quiz show Mastermind, with the exception that all the contestants are celebrities. As with the main show, John Humphrys is the host and question-master. Magnus Magnusson was quizmaster on the 2003/04 episodes featuring Jonathan Meades as winner.
Wogan
Act like Self (1 ep.)
event1982 star_border 4.5
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Chat show hosted by Terry Wogan, featuring live studio interviews with famous and notable personalities.
Rock & Chips
Act like DI Thomas (3 ep.)
event2010 star_border 8.2
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Period comedy drama and prequel to Only Fools and Horses, following the exploits of the Trotter family in sixties Peckham.
The Kenny Everett Television Show
Act like Various (2 ep.)
event1982 star_border 7
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Sketch comedy show starring Kenny Everett.
The Channel Four Show
(1 ep.)
event1977
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The Channel Four Show was a sketch comedy television show written by and starring Gary Stevenson and Mel Smith. Originally called The ITV Show for its first four series from 1977 to 1981 during its time on ITV 1, when Channel 4 was launched in 1982 the show was broadcast for nine more seasons on Channel 4 between 1982 and 1991.
Timeshift
Act like Self - Not the Nine O'Clock News, 1980 (archive footage) (1 ep.)
event2002 star_border 7
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Documentary series which ranges widely over Britain's social and cultural history, its narrative-led storytelling offering a richly immersive and varied window onto the past.
Minder
Act like Cyril Ash (1 ep.)
event1979 star_border 6.8
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This comedy drama series featured Terry McCann, a former boxer with a conviction for G.B.H., and Arthur Daley, a second-hand car dealer with an eye for a nice little earner. Alongside his many business ventures, Arthur would regularly hire Terry out as a minder or bodyguard, later replaced by nephew, Ray Daley.
An Audience with...
Act like Self (1 ep.)
event1978 star_border 5.3
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An Audience with... is a British entertainment television show produced by London Weekend Television, in which a host, usually a singer or comedian, performs for an invited audience of celebrity guests, interspersed with questions from the audience, in a light hearted revue/tribute style.
Agatha Christie's Marple
Act like John Enderby (1 ep.)
event2004 star_border 7.6
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The adventures of Miss Jane Marple, an elderly spinster living in the quiet little village of St Mary Mead. During her many visits to friends and relatives in other villages, Miss Marple often stumbles upon mysterious murders which she helps solve. Although the police are sometimes reluctant to accept Miss Marple's help, her reputation and unparalleled powers of observation eventually win them over.
Muck and Brass
Act like Tom Craig (6 ep.)
event1982 star_border 6
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The story of a no-holds-barred, go-getting property dealer played by celebrated comedian Mel Smith, who has the view that everyone has a price though the price may not always be money.
Going Live!
Act like Self (1 ep.)
event1987 star_border 6
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Going Live! was a Saturday morning magazine show, broadcast on BBC1 between 1987 and 1993. It was presented by Phillip Schofield and Sarah Greene.
Other presenters included Trevor and Simon, Peter Simon, Emma Forbes, and puppet Gordon the Gopher.
The show was broadcast during the autumn to spring seasons, with other shows such as the 8:15 from Manchester and Parallel 9 taking over during the summer months. It was preceded by Saturday Superstore, and succeeded by Live & Kicking.
In 1988, when the second series started, Greene was hurt in a helicopter crash with her then boyfriend, Mike Smith. Guest presenters stood in for her including T'Pau's Carol Decker. Similarly, in 1992-93 during the final series, Schofield was starring in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and was unable to present the show. A third presenter took his place. Originally, Neighbours actor Kristian Schmid took the role but soon left after problems with his work permit. Various other celebrities to stand in included Shane Richie and Robbie Williams during his Take That days.
Dancing on the Edge
Act like Schlesinger (5 ep.)
event2013 star_border 6.6
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An explosive 1930s drama following a jazz band in London at a time of huge change.
Filthy Rich & Catflap
Act like Jumbo Whiffy (1 ep.)
event1987 star_border 6.6
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Richie causes trouble in his pursuit of TV fame with Eddie, his alcoholic minder, and Filthy, his sponging agent.
Parkinson
Act like Self (1 ep.)
event1998
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Michael Parkinson returns for a second run of his iconic talk show.
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