Alexei Sayle

Alexei David Sayle (born 7 August 1952) is an English actor, author, stand-up comedian, television presenter and former recording artist. He was a leading figure in the British alternative comedy movement in the 1980s. He was voted the 18th-greatest stand-up comic of all time on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups in 2007. In an updated 2010 poll he came 72nd.

Much of Sayle's humour is in the tradition of Spike Milligan and Monty Python, with riffs based on often absurd and surreal premises. His act is known for its cynicism and political awareness as well as physical comedy.

Early life Sayle is Jewish. He was born and brought up in the Anfield suburb of Liverpool, the son of Molly (Malka) Sayle (née Mendelson), a pools clerk, and Joseph Henry Sayle, a railway guard, both of whom were members of the Communist Party of Great Britain. Sayle's mother was of Lithuanian Jewish descent, and some members of his family were devout Jews. Sayle was named after Maxim Gorky, whose real name was Alexei Maximovich Peshkov.

From 1964 to 1969, he attended Alsop High School in Walton, and he was expelled halfway through sixth form. After that, Sayle took a foundation course in art in Southport before attending Chelsea College of Art and Design in London. He attended Garnett College in Roehampton, a training college for teachers in further education. and became its first master of ceremonies. In 1980, comedy producer Martin Lewis saw Sayle perform at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and became his manager.

Sayle became the leading performer at The Comic Strip. He appeared on The Comic Strip Album (1981) and recorded Cak! (1982). He also appeared in the stage show, film and comedy album of The Secret Policeman's Other Ball (1981–1982). An example of Sayle's humour was his attack on American phrases: "If you travel to the States ... they have a lot of different words than like what we use. For instance: they say 'elevator', we say 'lift'; they say 'drapes', we say 'curtains'; they say 'president', we say 'seriously deranged git!'"

In 1988, Sayle played the role of Trinculo the King's jester in Shakespeare's The Tempest, directed by Jonathan Miller at the Old Vic theatre in London.

With artists such as Isy Suttie and Jim Bob, Sayle appeared at the fourth "Nine Lessons and Carols for Godless People" event at the Bloomsbury Theatre in December 2011. In January and February 2012, he compered four nights of stand-up comedy at the Soho Theatre. He completed a full UK stand-up tour in October and November 2012 and a sixteen-night residency at the Soho Theatre in January and February 2013, where he performed new material. He played a further ten nights at the Soho Theatre in April 2013. He also performed at the 2013 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Radio Sayle's early work included several performances for Capital London. In 1981, he wrote and performed the radio series, Alexei Sayle and the Fish People, for which he won a Pye Radio Award (later known as the Sony Radio Awards). An album based on the show, The Fish People Tapes, again featuring Sayle, was released in 1984. This was followed by Alexei Sayle and the Dutch Lieutenant's Trousers, the name being a reference to John Fowles' The French Lieutenant's Woman. Sayle returned to Radio 4 in 2016 with Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar, which has run for five critically acclaimed series so far. In 2019, he narrated the dramatisation of four of his short stories in the series Alexei Sayle's The Absence of Normal, again on Radio 4. A second series was broadcast in 2021.

Since February 2022 Sayle has presented BBC Radio 4's Alexei Sayle's Strangers on a Train.

Television Sayle's first high-profile television appearances were on Central Independent Television's late-night alternative cabaret show O.T.T. (1982). He left nine weeks into the show's run to tour Australia with the Comic Strip. He played various roles in the situation comedy The Young Ones (1982–1984), along with Adrian Edmondson, Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer and Christopher Ryan. In the programme Sayle portrayed several members of an Eastern European family; the Balowskis. In 1985, he appeared in the Doctor Who serial Revelation of the Daleks. In a column for a British tabloid newspaper around the same time, he indicated that he wanted to become the "first Socialist Doctor." He also appeared in several episodes of The Comic Strip Presents... between 1985 and 1993, playing the two leading roles in Didn't You Kill My Brother? which he co-wrote with David Stafford and Pauline Melville. Sayle has co-written and starred in many other programmes, including three series of Alexei Sayle's Stuff (1988–1991), two series of The All New Alexei Sayle Show (1994–1995) and one series of Alexei Sayle's Merry-Go-Round (1998).

In 1989, Sayle was awarded an International Emmy for Stuff. In conversation with Mark Thomas on BBC Radio 4's informal chat-show Chain Reaction, Sayle revealed that the first he knew of the award was when he watched Channel 4 News and saw, to his amazement, Benny Hill collecting the award on his behalf. In 1990, Sayle had a fatwa proclaimed against him by a Muslim cleric from Syria after a joke on his BBC comedy show Stuff, which has never been withdrawn.

Sayle was signed in 1992 to a seven-year contract to play an Eastern European chef as a regular character on the American sitcom The Golden Palace, the sequel to The Golden Girls, but was fired and replaced by Cheech Marin before the pilot was filmed. The series was cancelled after one season.

In 1994, he presented the miniseries Drive, which gave advice for safe driving through Sayle's signature form of humour interspersed with serious pieces. In 2008, he wrote and presented Alexei Sayle's Liverpool, a three-part television series in which he reconnected with his home town. He stated in the programmes that on first hearing that Liverpool was to be awarded the European Capital of Culture, he received much criticism for describing the city as "philistine". He now feels that he does not know whether or not his original statement was true but as a result of making the series he does now consider Liverpool to be his home, and he has vowed to go back there more often in the future.

Sayle also narrated the Public information film (PIF) Moon Lighters about two moon creatures, Biblock and Hoblock and the dangers of lighters. Sayle replaced Rolf Harris as the narrator for the Nick Jr. and Milkshake! series Olive The Ostrich. Episodes featuring Sayle's narration commenced broadcasting on 22 July 2013.

Film Sayle alternates his comedy work with performances as a character actor ranging from serious (Gorky Park, 1983) to humorous (Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, 1989). He appeared in the 1992 Carry On film, Carry On Columbus along with other modern comedians, including Comic Strip founder Peter Richardson, as well as surviving members of the original Carry On team. He narrated the 2023 political documentary film Oh, Jeremy Corbyn: The Big Lie and the 2024 sequel, The Big Lie II: Starmer and the Genocide.

Music

Sayle has released five comedy singles with full musical backing, and one live recording from the Comedy Store in London 1981. This was "Dedication", released as a double A side with Alex Arundel, the London-based Scottish songwriter and founding member of Alternative Cabaret, with the song "When The Gold Runs Dry" being the other A side. Sayle's most successful single was "'Ullo John! Gotta New Motor?", which achieved Top 20 chart success in the UK upon re-release in 1984. Produced by Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley (who also produced for Madness and Elvis Costello), the record (in its 12-inch version) achieved notoriety owing to its extensive use of profane language. The two follow-up singles, "Didn't You Kill My Brother?", and "Meanwhile", were taken from the album Panic, the cover of which parodies the cover of the Michael Jackson album Off the Wall.

Writing Sayle has written two short story collections, five novels, including a graphic novel and a radio series spin-off book, as well as columns for various publications. His book Great Bus Journeys of the World, co-written with David Stafford, is mostly a collection of his columns for Time Out and the Sunday Mirror. He was one of eight contributory authors to the BBC Three competition End of Story, in which members of the public completed the second half of stories written by established authors. The winning entry to Sayle's story, Imitating Katherine Walker, was written by freelance writer Arthur Allan. Sayle's autobiography, Stalin Ate My Homework, which deals with his early life, and which he describes as a 'satirical memoir', was published in 2010. In 2012 he joined The Daily Telegraph as a motoring columnist. In early 2015 he toured giving readings from the second volume of his autobiography Thatcher Stole My Trousers, published in 2016.

Internet In November 2020, Sayle began hosting a monthly podcast, The Alexei Sayle Podcasts. Guests have included Josie Long, Stewart Lee, Omid Djalili, Lise Mayer, Diane Morgan and Jeremy Corbyn.

He also launched a YouTube channel, showcasing videos of various bike rides.

Personal life In 1974, Sayle married Linda Rawsthorn. in central London and is a keen cyclist. He also owns a house near Granada, in southern Spain. He was diagnosed with sarcoidosis in 1990. A recurrence of this condition in 2015 led to him being rushed to hospital and then transferred to a neurological unit for a week.

Political views Around the age of 15, Sayle decided to join the Young Communist League, but only went to a few meetings. In 1968, he joined a Maoist organisation, the Communist Party of Britain (Marxist–Leninist). In 2009, he said that, while no longer active in left politics, "I still would adhere to those philosophical and economic ideas of Marxism that I got when I was sixteen. ... it's seemed to me as true now as it did then".

Sayle is a critic of fox hunting and was among more than 20 high-profile people who signed a letter to Members of Parliament in 2015 to oppose Conservative Prime Minister David Cameron's plan to amend the Hunting Act 2004.

Labour Party In February 2016, Sayle said of Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn: "He's ascetic and morally incorruptible. The propaganda that's thrown against him is disgraceful. Until he appeared, you had to vote for one kind of Oxbridge twat or another, people who all go to the same dinner parties, people like the Ed Ballses and George Osbornes. Jeremy has shown that, within a democratic tradition, other things are possible." In 2016, he wrote a comment piece for The Guardian saying that he was happy to mock New Labour in his act, but now that Corbyn was about to "reform the party in his own image – ascetic, socialist, kindly and ethical", he would stop making jokes about Labour.

In May 2018, regarding the expulsion of Marc Wadsworth from the Labour Party, Sayle commented: "The Party should walk over broken glass to beg people of Marc's calibre to work with them – they are very few and Marc is one of the best. There is a battle going on to destroy and reverse the unexpected and amazing gains the left has made in the last three years. Marc is a casualty in that battle and I am joining the fight to see him re-instated to the front line."

In November 2019, along with other public figures, Sayle signed a letter supporting Corbyn, describing him as "a beacon of hope in the struggle against emergent far-right nationalism, xenophobia and racism in much of the democratic world" and endorsed him in the 2019 UK general election. In December 2019, along with 42 other leading cultural figures, he signed a letter endorsing the Labour Party under Corbyn's leadership in the 2019 general election. The letter stated that "Labour's election manifesto under Jeremy Corbyn's leadership offers a transformative plan that prioritises the needs of people and the planet over private profit and the vested interests of a few."

Involvement with accusations of party antisemitism In January 2020, he was condemned by some Jewish groups after being one of thousands to sign an open letter criticising Rebecca Long-Bailey and other Labour leadership candidates for saying they would sign a 10-point pledge by the Board of Deputies of British Jews which it said was intended to combat antisemitism, should they be elected. The letter was organised by Momentum activist Jackie Walker and former Labour MP Chris Williamson.

In May 2021, Conservative MP Matthew Offord wrote to the BBC's director-general urging, unsuccessfully, that the planned broadcast of Desert Island Discs featuring Sayle, on 23 May, be halted on the basis that every broadcaster "should be wary of giving a platform to anyone who is seen to be 'excusing' antisemitism". There was an outcry on social media in response, rejecting the claim that Sayle was doing this, with support for Sayle (whose mother came from an Orthodox Jewish background) from across the board, and the resulting hashtag #IStandWithAlexeiSayle trending on UK Twitter.

Double Down News discussion In June 2026, Sayle along with Michael Rosen and Miriam Margolyes participated in a candid roundtable titled "They Call Us The Wrong Kind of Jew". They discussed their Jewish identities, their views on the Middle East and shared outspoken criticism of Israeli state policies.

Filmography Film Year Title Role 1980 Repeater 2nd Detective Transmogrification Himself 1982 The Secret Policeman's Other Ball Himself 1983 Gorky Park Golodkin 1985 The Bride Magar The Caucasian Chalk Circle Lavrenti The Supergrass Motorbike Cop Ligmalion: A Musical for the 80s John Bull 1986 Whoops Apocalypse Commisar Solzhenitsyn Solarbabies Malice, Bounty Hunter 1987 Siesta Cabbie The Love Child The Voices (voice) Mister Corbett's Ghost Toll Gate Keeper 1988 Jake's Journey Head Torturer 1989 Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Sultan of The Hatay State 1992 Carry On Columbus Achmed 1993 Reckless Kelly Major Wib Deadly Currents Seemuller 1996 Hospital! X-Ray Operator 1997 Rhinoceros Hunting in Budapest Beluga 1999 Swing Mac "Mighty Mac" 2001 Don't Walk Uncle Henry 2004 The Legend of the Tamworth Two Newspaper Editor The Tale of Tarquin Slant Window Cleaner 2005 Upstaged Police Officer Duncan 2006 The Thief Lord Ernesto Barbarossa 2008 The Surprise Demise of Francis Cooper's Mother Narrator 2011 The Itch of the Golden Nit Planet Jimmy (voice) 2016 Redtop Colin Goodman 2017 Gloves Off Algy 2018 Sometimes Always Never Bill 2019 How to Build a Girl Karl Marx 2023 Oh, Jeremy Corbyn: The Big Lie Narrator 2024 The Big Lie II: Starmer and the Genocide Narrator

Television Year Title Role Notes 1980 – 1981 Boom Boom, Out Go the Lights Himself 1981 Wolcott Speaker In Market 1982 O.T.T. Himself Comic Roots Himself The Private Life of the Ford Cortina Himself, Presenter Whoops Apocalypse Commissar Solzhenitsyn 1982 – 1984 The Young Ones Jerzy Balowski / Brian Damage / Jester Balowski / Harry The Bastard / Police Recruiter / Train Driver / Billy Balowski 1984 The Lenny Henry Show Various Roles Give Us A Break Frank Hustle, Bustle, Toil & Muscle 1985 Doctor Who D.J. Revelation of the Daleks 1985 – 1993 The Comic Strip Presents... Inspector / Dad / Bride's Father / Mog / Carl Moss / Sterling Moss / Paul 1986 Roland Rat: The Series Himself 1987 Ratman Fatman Up Line Melvin Coombes 1988 Les Girls Mr. Korvus Prints 1988 – 1991 Alexei Sayle's Stuff Himself 1990 The Gravy Train Vlad Milcic 1991 Selling Hitler Konrad "Konny" Fischer Big 30 Himself, Presenter 1993 Lovejoy Freddie "The Phone" Series 4: "The Napoleonic Commode" Sex, Drugs & Dinner Himself, Presenter 1993 – 1994 Rubbish, King of the Jumble Rubbish (voice) 1994 The Unpleasant World of Penn & Teller Himself Paris Alain Degout Drive Himself, Host 1994 – 1995 The All New Alexei Sayle Show Himself 1996 Jackanory Reader The Diary of a Killer Cat Great Railway Journeys Himself, Host #3.2: Aleppo to Aqaba 1997 The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling Puppeteer Alexei Sayle's Comedy Hour Himself 1998 Alexei Sayle's Merry-Go-Round Himself 2000 Arabian Nights BacBac Animated Tales of the World Troll (voice) The Three Sisters who fell into a Mountain: A Story from Norway 2002 Tipping the Velvet Charles Frobisher 2003 – 2004 Keen Eddie Rudy Alexander 2004 Blood Matters Himself, The Narrator) What's Blood Got To Do With It? End Of Story Himself 2005 Bremner, Bird and Fortune Pope John Paul II 2006 Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive Himself Sharon 2007 Dawn French's Boys Who Do Comedy Himself 2008 Alexei Sayle's Liverpool Himself, Presenter 2009 Agatha Christie's Miss Marple Dr. Maverick They Do it with Mirrors 2010 Horrible Histories Dr. Ushma 2012 New Tricks Anthony Marshall Love Means Nothing in Tennis 2013 Olive the Ostrich Narrator 2014 Holby City Bernie Reddy Mummy Dearest 2017 Tate Liverpool at 30 Himself, Presenter 2021 Casualty Anton Malinovsky Series 35: Episodes 26 and 29 2022 Mandy Darren Dugdale Fatberg Dodger Mr. Elias Loomis 2024 Richard Osman's House of Games Himself, Contestant Series 8 Episodes 21–25 2025 Celebrity Antiques Road Trip Himself, Contestant Series 13 Episodes 12 (with Nigel Planer)

Radio Year Title 1979 – 1981 Capital London 1981 Alexei Sayle and the Fish People 198? Alexei Sayle and the Dutch Lieutenant's Trousers 1988 Lenin of the Rovers 1999 Sorry About Last Night 2006 Chopwell Soviet 2007 Alexei Sayle's Alternative Take 2008 Where Did All the Money Go? Migrant Music 2016 – present Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar 2019 – present Alexei Sayle's The Absence of Normal 2022 – present Alexei Sayle's Strangers On A Train

Videos 1983 The Alexei Sayle Pirate Video (Springtime) 1995 Alexei Sayle's Stuff (Paradox)

DVDs 2005 Alexei Sayle's Stuff Series One (BBC) 2006 Alexei Sayle's Stuff Series Two (BBC) 2006 Alexei Sayle's Stuff Series Three (BBC)

Discography

Albums 1980: Live at The Comic Strip - compiled from mixture of variable quality bootleg private recordings by fans only available as a Tape Cassette (comedy club) 1982: Cak! - LP/Tape (Springtime/Island) 1984: The Fish People Tapes - LP/Tape (Island) (#62 UK, 11 March 1984) 1985: Panic - LP/Tape (CBS) (#95 Canada, 1 March 1986)

Singles 1981: "Pop-Up Toasters" (as Alexei's Midnight Runners) (Springtime/Island) 1982: "Albania! Albania! (Albanixey! Albanixey!)" (as The Albanian World Cup Squad) (Albaniox) 1982: "'Ullo John! Gotta New Motor?" (Springtime/Island) (No. 15 UK, 18 March 1984) 1985: "Didn't You Kill My Brother?" (CBS) (No. 93 Canada, 18 January 1986) 1986: "Meanwhile" (CBS)