Adrian Edmondson

Adrian Charles Edmondson (born 24 January 1957)

He played the lead role in the Comic Strip's 1985 feature film The Supergrass. In the 2000s Edmondson appeared in Jonathan Creek, Holby City, Miss Austen Regrets, as himself on Hell's Kitchen, and created the sitcom Teenage Kicks. He performed and wrote for the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band (2006–2007). In 2008 he formed a folk punk band, the Bad Shepherds, singing and playing mandola and mandolin. In 2011 he presented The Dales and Ade in Britain, in which he undertook a tour of numerous places in Britain. In 2013, Edmondson was crowned the winner of Celebrity Masterchef. From 2019 to 2020 he appeared in EastEnders as Daniel Cook, and in 2022 he played Ebenezer Scrooge in the Royal Shakespeare Company's adaptation of A Christmas Carol.

Early life The second of four children, Adrian Charles Edmondson was born on 24 January 1957 in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, to Dorothy Eileen Sturgeon (born 1930) and Fred Edmondson (1929–2014). As a child, Edmondson lived with his family in a variety of places including Cyprus, Bahrain, and Uganda, where his father was a teacher in the British Armed Forces. In an interview with the Times Educational Supplement (TES), he stated that he did not enjoy his education at Pocklington, and that his group of friends considered the school's printed booklet of "endless" behavioural rules to be "a personal challenge to break".

By the time he was in sixth form, with his parents were working abroad,

Career

1980s Under the name 20th Century Coyote, Edmondson and Mayall became one of the star attractions at The Comedy Store, and joined other upcoming comedians, including Nigel Planer, Peter Richardson, Alexei Sayle, and French and Saunders at The Comic Strip club. The Comic Strip soon gained a reputation as one of the most popular comedy clubs in London and soon came to the attention of Channel 4. The first episode to be broadcast was "Five Go Mad in Dorset", a parody of Enid Blyton's Famous Five, and Edmondson starred as one of the five.

In 1985 Edmondson starred with his wife Jennifer Saunders in Happy Families, a rural comedy drama written by Ben Elton, which appeared on the BBC and told the story of the dysfunctional Fuddle family.

In 1987, Edmondson reunited with Planer and Mayall to star in Filthy Rich & Catflap,

In 1988, Edmondson released a follow-up to How To Be A Complete Bastard called The Bastard's Book of the Worst. In 1989 he made an appearance as the Red Baron, nemesis to Mayall's character, Lord Flashheart, in an episode of Blackadder Goes Forth. alongside Tim McInnerny as Frank-N-Furter and Ed Tudor-Pole as Riff-Raff. He also appears on the soundtrack album of the production. In 1991, he teamed with his comedy partner Rik Mayall once more, this time co-writing and co-starring in their own sitcom, Bottom.

2000s Edmondson appeared regularly as Brendan Baxter in Series 4 of the BBC mystery series Jonathan Creek, broadcast in 2003–2004. In 2005 he appeared as a celebrity model on Star Portraits with Rolf Harris. or in fifteen years' time. Mayall appeared during Edmondson's winning performance of The Dying Swan on BBC One's Let's Dance for Comic Relief on 5 March 2011, and in September 2011, Edmondson appeared on the Sunday morning cooking show Something for the Weekend and told presenter Tim Lovejoy that he and Rik Mayall were planning to reunite and make another series of Bottom, set in an old people's home.

In 2011, Edmondson hosted the ITV documentary series The Dales, in which he followed a number of families who live and work in the Yorkshire Dales, including the "Yorkshire Shepherdess" Amanda Owen. He also presented the ITV series Ade in Britain that year, where he travelled to different parts of the United Kingdom in a Mini Countryman towing a small caravan, often including a performed segment from local folk singers. A second series followed in 2013. but Edmondson announced later that year that he had pulled out of the project to pursue other interests. Rik Mayall, Edmondson's long-time creative partner, died on 9 June 2014. In 2015, Edmondson voiced Stanley the Dachshund in adverts for health and life insurance company Vitality.

In 2016, Edmondson took part in episode 4 of The Great Sport Relief Bake Off and won the title of Star Baker.

In 2016, Edmondson starred as Count Ilya Rostov in the bbc adaptation of War and Peace.

Edmondson's children's book Tilly and the Time Machine was published on 4 May 2017. From November 2017 into 2018, Edmondson played the character of Malvolio in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Also in 2017, Edmondson appeared as Captain Peavey in the eighth film of the Star Wars series, The Last Jedi, a casting decision made by the film's director Rian Johnson, a self-proclaimed fan of Edmondson's work in The Young Ones and Bottom.

In August 2018, Edmondson voiced the character of Bunny in the English version of the French/Belgian animated film The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales.... In September 2018, Edmondson featured as Sergeant Dogberry in the episode "Sigh No More" of Ben Elton's Upstart Crow. From September 2018 to November 2018, Edmondson toured with Nigel Planer in a play that they wrote together called Vulcan 7 (restaged in 2023 as It's Headed Straight Towards Us ). In 2019, Edmondson appeared in EastEnders as Daniel Cook.

2020s He has appeared on BBC Radio 4 comedy show, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue.

Music career In 1984, Edmondson formed the spoof heavy metal band Bad News,

In 1986, Edmondson achieved a number one hit in the UK singles chart when he and his co-stars from The Young Ones teamed up with Cliff Richard to record a new version of "Living Doll" for the inaugural Comic Relief campaign. and appeared in the music video "Terry" (1983) by Kirsty MacColl.

In 1991, Edmondson formed the Bum Notes, who were a jazz instrumental band and conceived exclusively to perform theme music for Bottom.

Together with Maartin Allcock, Andy Dinan and Troy Donockley, Edmondson founded the band the Bad Shepherds in 2008, performing punk and new wave classics on traditional folk instruments. The band released three albums and first toured in 2009, playing at places such as the Trowbridge Village Pump Festival. The Bad Shepherds also headlined the first ever Looe Music Festival in 2011. They disbanded in October 2016.

In 2010, he founded the Idiot Bastard Band with Simon Brint, Rowland Rivron, Neil Innes and Phill Jupitus. The Idiot Bastard Band perform original comedy songs as well as cover versions, and their shows often feature guest performers. The group continued to perform following the death of Brint in 2011.

Personal life Edmondson married comedian Jennifer Saunders on 11 May 1985. They have three daughters, including musician Ella and actress Beattie. He is a supporter of Exeter City F.C.

Edmondson's autobiography, Berserker!: An Autobiography, was published by Pan Macmillan in September 2023.

In September 2023 Edmondson was the guest for BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. An extended version was broadcast in September 2024. His choices included "Downtown" by Petula Clark and "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies. His favourite song was "Wide Open Spaces" by The Dixie Chicks, his book choice was Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett, and his luxury item was a tab of acid.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1981 Fundamental Frolics Himself Charity comedy and music show for Mencap 1983 Dead on Time! Fool Short film 1985 The Supergrass Dennis Carter 1986 The Dangerous Brothers Present: World of Danger Sir Adrian Dangerous All sketches from Saturday Live and un-aired compiled on VHS/DVD 1987 Eat the Rich Charles Mr. Jolly Lives Next Door Dreamytime Escort proprietor Feature film from The Comic Strip presents... series. 1991 The Pope Must Die Father Rookie 1993 Bottom Live Edward 'Eddie' Hitler Live recording of Bottom stageplay filmed at the Mayflower Theatre 1995 Bottom Live: The Big Number Two Tour Live recording of Bottom 2 stageplay. Also writer and executive producer 1997 Bottom Live 3: Hooligan's Island Live recording of Bottom 3 stageplay. Also writer and executive producer 1999 Guest House Paradiso Eddie Elizabeth Ndingombaba Also writer and director 2001 Bottom 2001: An Arse Oddity Edward 'Eddie' Hitler Live recording of Bottom 4 stageplay. Also writer 2003 Bottom Live 2003: Weapons Grade Y-Fronts Tour Live recording of Bottom 5 stageplay. Also writer 2006 Terkel in Trouble Terkel (voice) English dub 2012 Blood Tom Tiernan 2017 The Rizen Interviewer Interlude in Prague Herr Lubtak The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales... Bunny (voice) English dub Star Wars: The Last Jedi Captain Peavey 2018 The War of the Worlds: The Musical Drama Ogilvy 2019 The Rizen: Possession Interviewer 2021 Best Birthday Ever Granny (voice) 2026 Rogue Trooper TBA TBA &Sons John Payle Short film; Post-production

Television Year Title Role Notes 1981 Friday Night, Saturday Morning 20th Century Coyote Series 4; Episodes 1 and 6 Oxford Road Show Series 2; Episode 1 The Comic Strip Adrian Dangerous Television film. Bonus feature on The Comic Strip Presents... DVD 1982 Kevin Turvey: The Man Behind the Green Door Keith Marshall Television films The Magnificent One Larry 1982–1984 The Young Ones Vyvyan Basterd / Alien Spotter / Randy the Cowpoke Series 1 and 2; 12 episodes 1982–2012 The Comic Strip Presents... Various roles Series 1–9; 30 episodes. Also writer (6 episodes), director (2 episodes) 1984 Spitting Image Harold Angryperson (voice) Series 1; Episode 7 The Lenny Henry Show Various characters Series 1; Episode 4 1985 Happy Families Guy Fuddle Episodes 1–6 Saturday Live 20th Century Coyote Pilot episode 1986 Sir Adrian Dangerous 8 episodes including sketches featuring The Dangerous Brothers Screen Two Alun Pickersgill Episode 5: "Honest, Decent and True" 1987 Filthy Rich & Catflap Edward Catflap Episodes 1–6 Hardwicke House Tiny Episode: "The Old Boys". 1988 French and Saunders John Episode: "Potholing" 1989 Press Gang Simon Knowles Episode: "One Easy Lesson" A Night of Comic Relief 2 Vyvyan Television special for Comic Relief Blackadder Goes Forth Baron von Richthofen Episode: "Private Plane" Snakes and Ladders Giles Hysteria 2! Himself Standup special for The Terrence Higgins Trust The Secret Policeman's Biggest BallStandup special for Amnesty International 1990 Screen One Phil Burke Episode: "News Hounds" 1991 Comic Relief Vim Fuego Red Nose Day television special 1991–1995 Bottom Edward 'Eddie' Hitler Series 1–3; 18 episodes.Also co-creator and writer with Rik Mayall. 1992, 1994 Absolutely Fabulous Hamish 2 episodes 1993 Jackanory Storyteller Story: "Harvey Angell: Parts 1–5" If You See God, Tell Him Gordon Spry Mini-series 1994 Anna Lee Dominic Jones Episode 4: "The Cook's Tale" French and Saunders Tim Goodchance Episode: "French and Saunders' Christmas Carol" 1995 The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones: Treasure of the Peacock's Eye Zyke Television film Look at the State We're In! Dewhurst Mini-series; Episodes 1–5 1997–1998 Captain Star 'Limbs' Jones (voice) 13 episodes 1998 French and Saunders James Macaroon Episode: "The Making of the Filming of the Making of Titanic" Jack and the Beanstalk Dame Dolly Television films 1999 The Man Alex 2003–2004 Jonathan Creek Brendan Baxter Series 4; Episodes 1–5 2004 Doctors and Nurses Dr. Roy Glover Episodes 1–6 2005 Twisted Tales Ed Barnes Episode 10: "Cursed House" Comic Relief Does Fame Academy Himself – Competitor Series 2; Finished in 3rd Place. 2005–2008 Holby City Percy 'Abra' Durant Series 7–11; 45 episodes 2006 Surviving Disaster Valery Legasov Docudrama mini-series; Episode 3: "Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster" 2007 Miss Austen Regrets Henry Austen Television film A Bucket o' French & Saunders Hamish Compilation specials; Episode 4 Top Gear Himself – Performer Series 9; Episode 7: "Top Gear of the Pops". Part of Red Nose Day 2007 2008 Teenage Kicks Vernon Episodes 1–8. Also writer Celebrity Mastermind Himself – Contestant Series 6; Episode 2; Finished in 3rd Place 2009 Hell's Kitchen Series 4; Episodes 1–15; Finished in 2nd Place 2010 Pete & Dud: The Lost Sketches Performer Television film 2011–2013 Ade in Britain Himself – Presenter Series 1 and 2; 50 episodes The Dales Series 1–3; 36 episodes. Edmondson explores the Yorkshire Dales, getting to know the area and meeting the residents. 2012 The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff Headmaster Wackville Episodes 1 and 2 2013 Celebrity MasterChef Himself – Contestant Series 8; Winner 2014 Ade at Sea Himself – Presenter Episodes 1–6 Prey ACC Warner Series 1; Episodes 1–3 Celebrity Fifteen to One Himself – Contestant Series 1; Episode 3 2014–2015 Ronja, the Robber's Daughter Noodle Pete (voice) English version; 23 episodes 2016 War & Peace Count Ilya Rostov Mini-series; Episodes 1–6 One of Us Peter Elliot Mini-series; Episodes 1–4 2017 Genius David Hilbert Season 1; Episode 7: "Einstein: Chapter Seven" 2017, 2020 Bancroft Supt. Cliff Walker Recurring role. Series 1 and 2; 7 episodes 2018 Urban Myths Leslie Conn Series 2; Episode: "David Bowie and Marc Bolan" Upstart Crow Sergeant Dogberry Series 3; Episode 4: "Sigh No More" 2018–2020 Save Me Gideon Charles Recurring role. Series 1 and 2; 4 episodes 2019 Strike Back: Revolution James McKitterick, British High Commissioner to Malaysia Season 7; Episodes 1 and 2 Cheat William Vaughn Main role; Episodes 1–4 Summer of Rockets Max Dennis Mini-series; Episodes 5 and 6 2019–2020 EastEnders Daniel Cook Series regular; 38 episodes 2019, 2022 Richard Osman's House of Games Himself – Contestant Series 3; Week 1, and Series 5; Week 9 (House of Champions) 2020 Death in Paradise Charles Crabtree Series 9; Episode 1: "La Murder Le Diablé" Out of Her Mind Lewis Episodes 4–6 Celebrity Mastermind Himself – Contestant Series 18; Episode 7; Winner 2021 The Pact Richard Clarke Series regular. Series 1; Episodes 1–5 Midsomer Murders Hugo Welles Series 22; Episode 3: "Happy Families" Back to Life John Boback Season 2; Episodes 1–5 The Trick Edward Acton Television film 2022 A Spy Among Friends Sir Roger Hollis Mini-series; Episodes 1–6 2023 Rain Dogs Lenny 5 episodes 2023–2024 Toad & Friends Toad (voice role) Animated series 2024 3 Body Problem Denys Porlock Series 1; 3 episodes Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story Phil Green 4 episodes 2025 Alien: Earth Atom Eins 7 episodes 2026 Sam and Ade Go Birding Himself – Co-presenter Three-part wildlife series with Sam West 2026 Bergerac Nigel Series 2; Episodes 1–6

Video games Year Title Role Notes 1987 How to Be a Complete Bastard Himself (likeness) 1996 Animal Peperami (voice) 2022 Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Captain Peevey (voice)

Theatre

Narration

Books

Discography Albums 1988 Bootleg|Second album by Bad News 1991 Cash in Compilation|Compilation album of randomly picked tracks 2007 Pour l'Amour des Chiens|Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band Vocals and writing 2009

debut album by the Bad Shepherds 2010 By Hook or By Crook|Second album by the Bad Shepherds 2013 Mud, Blood & Beer''Third album by the Bad Shepherds Non-album songs