Ian Kirkby

Ian Kirkby (born 28 November 1968) is a British actor and writer. He is best known for his role as DI Harry Batt on the children's programme Dick & Dom in da Bungalow and Diddy TV and Sandy Toes on Swashbuckle. Additionally, he has appeared in Diddy Movies and The Slammer.

Career In his early years, Kirkby became a member of the Central Junior Television Workshop. From there he was selected as an extra in 1987 in ITV sitcom, Hardwicke House. In 1992, Kirkby graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and was employed in a number of minor roles in theatre and television productions. He also spent a year with the Royal Shakespeare Company and performed in the West End. In 2003, Kirkby was hired by the BBC to play Newcastle detective, Harry Batt on CBBC's Dick and Dom in da Bungalow. Kirkby said he based the character of Harry Batt on a "Seventies Sweeney stereotype, but with a Geordie accent." The character was only intended to be a one-time appearance; however, the character became popular so Kirkby reprised the role as a recurring character and a regular actor until the end of the programme in 2006. Kirkby also played Harry Batt in Da Dick and Dom Dairies and The Legend of Dick and Dom. During this time, he also co-wrote a programme for CBBC based around Harry Batt, which was broadcast in 2007.

Also in 2006, in a role that Kirkby was permitted to write for himself, In 2010, Kirkby was hired by Channel 4 to play commentator Terry McIlroy in the comedy Pete versus Life.

Personal life Kirkby is a fan of association football; however, he had expressed a dislike of motor racing as "just a waste of petrol".

Filmography

Television Year Series Role Notes 1983–1989 Dramarama Various characters Appeared in four episodes 1985–1988 Your Mother Wouldn't Like It Loaf Main cast member 1987 Hardwicke House Unnamed pupil 1988 Hard CasesPeter Collinson 1990 Palace Hill Chelsea Bun Appeared in all seven episodes 1994 Pie in the Sky Second Police Constable Episode 1.7: "Passion Fruit Fool" 1995 Peak Practice Edward Turrell Episode 3.12: "Giving Up" 1998 Picking up the Pieces Peter Episode 1.8 2000 Doctors Graham Tremain Episode 2.52 2003 Dangerville Jack Jackson

Films Year Film Role Notes 1997 Jilting Joe Traffic Cop 1999 Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? Policeman 2008 My Last Five Girlfriends Tour guide