Roy Walker
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| Roy Walker | |
| Born | July 31, 1940  Belfast, Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Television Presenter and comedian |
| Years active | 1977 - present |
| Known for | Presenter of Catchphrase on ITV1 and one of the stars of The Comedians |
Roy Simon Walker (born 31 July 1940) is a Northern Irish television personality and comedian, who worked for many years as both a television presenter and comedy actor best known as the original host of the gameshow Catchphrase between 1986 and 1999, and one of the stars of The Comedians.
[edit] Background
As a teenager Walker performed in the Francis Longford Choir, then worked as a riveter in the shipyard. He was the Northern Ireland champion hammer thrower for two years, and represented his country internationally. He spent a short time as a comedy partner of James Young before spending seven years in the British army.[1]
He came to fame in 1977 by winning the talent show New Faces, receiving the highest mark ever given to a comedian. [2] He was also one of The Comedians seen on the 1970s show of the same name.
Walker is most famous for the game show Catchphrase, which he co-hosted with his computer character friend that he created, Mr Chips, from 1986 to 1999. During this show he coined his own catchphrases "Say what you see" and "It's good but it's not right!"
Since Catchphrase, Walker has appeared as himself in Phoenix Nights and starred in the reality television series I'm Famous and Frightened!. Since 2004 he has appeared (in pre-recorded audiobite form) on The Chris Moyles Show on BBC Radio 1, in features called "Car Park Catchphrase" and "Beep Beep Busters" (a spoof of the game show Blockbusters). He also presented a six-part comedy series for BBC Radio Northern Ireland called, "The Way We Tell 'Em", as well as appearing on Ready Steady Cook on June 5, 2008. He also appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show around 2006 with close friend Frank Carson as mystery guests, they were in disguise in the audience.[3]
In 2005, Roy played a supporting role to Andrew Bak in the film, The Jealous God.
Roy also appeared on Big Brother's Big Mouth as a secret special guest. Aired on June 10th 2008.
Roy is a noted after dinner speaker and in June 2008 spoke and presented awards at the AIS Presidents Launch at the Dorchester Hotel in London
Roy Walker also performed in a show at the Edinburgh Comedy Festival in 2008.
Roy starred in the Churchill Insurance adverts, alongside model Megan Hall, seen at an Indian restaurant with The Churchill Dog in 2009.
He currently resides in Lytham St Annes.
[edit] References
- ^ "All Star Talent Show". http://www.allstartalentshow.co.uk/royw.html. Retrieved on March 2007.
- ^ "Roy Walker". http://www.roywalker.co.uk/. Retrieved on February 2007.
- ^ Roy Walker Comic and Compere
[edit] External links
| Preceded by None |
Host of Catchphrase 1986-1999 |
Succeeded by Nick Weir |
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