Johnny Vegas

Michael Joseph Pennington (born 5 September 1970), better known as Johnny Vegas, is an English comedian, actor, writer, and director.

He is known for his thick Lancashire accent, husky voice, angry comedic rants, and use of surreal humour.

Vegas' television roles have included Al in the ITV Digital and PG Tips adverts, Moz in the BBC Three dark comedy Ideal, Geoff Maltby ("The Oracle") in the ITV sitcom Benidorm, and Eric Agnew in the BBC One sitcom Still Open All Hours.

He is also a frequent guest on panel shows such as QI and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

Vegas was born Michael Joseph Pennington on 5 September 1970, in the Thatto Heath area of St Helens, Lancashire.

He has an older sister and two older brothers, alongside whom he was brought up as Catholic.

At the age of 11, he attended the boarding school and seminary St Joseph's College in Up Holland to train for the priesthood, but came back homesick after four terms.

Whilst competing on Channel 4's festive special The Greatest Snowman (2021), Vegas revealed that he had to play Santa Claus as his father was stuck at work.

Vegas was only 13, so knew most of the kids.

Vegas earned a BA in Art and Ceramics from Middlesex University in the Hendon area of London, then returned to his home town and took various odd jobs; he worked in an Argos warehouse, sold boiler insurance door-to-door, packed bottles of Cif in a factory, and was a barman at a local pub.

Between 1994 and 1997, he was a member of Cluub Zarathustra, a comedy performance group led by Stewart Lee, Roger Mann, and Simon Munnery.

In 1996, Vegas made his television debut as a contestant on Win, Lose or Draw in the UK under his real name, but made references to the fact he wanted to be a comedian and that his stage name was "Johnny Vegas".

In 2001 he appeared on the Weakest Link, in a comedians special and beat Barry Cryer to win the jackpot of £10,200.

He featured on The Big Breakfast during the programme's final months before it ended in March 2002.

His appearance was briefly shown during Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups and BBC Three's Almost Famous 2.

Vegas gained a wider audience as a regular member of Shooting Stars.

His character was a pitiable sort always nursing a pint of Guinness.

In 2002, Vegas starred in the BBC Radio 4 sitcom Night Class, which he co-wrote with Tony Burgess and Tony Pitts, with Dirk Maggs as director.

Vegas played a former Butlin's redcoat teaching evening classes in pottery.

It was a runner-up for best comedy at the Sony Radio Academy Awards.

In 2003, Vegas played Jackie Symes in the film The Virgin of Liverpool, Alf Prince in the film Cheeky and Trevor in the film Blackball.

He starred in the BBC Three sitcom Ideal as Moz from 2005 to 2011.

In 2005 he played Krook in the BBC adaptation of Dickens' Bleak House.

Between 2007 and 2009, Vegas played Geoff Maltby, aka "The Oracle", in the ITV sitcom Benidorm and from 2015 to 2017.

In 2012, Vegas played the role of Mr. Croombe in a television adaptation of David Walliams' children's novel Mr Stink.

In May 2013, Vegas played the role of Lord Ratspeaker in a BBC radio adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, adapted by Dirk Maggs.

Since 26 December 2013, Vegas has played Wet Eric Agnew in the revived BBC sitcom Still Open All Hours.

Vegas has guest presented numerous episodes of Sunday Brunch for Channel 4.

In 2014, Vegas voiced Fat Baz in the ITV4 animated sitcom Warren United.

In August 2014, Vegas took part in ITV's two-part documentary series Secrets from the Clink.

In August 2015, he narrated the four-part series Travel Guides for ITV.

In 2016, he took part in ITV's celebrity driving show Drive, hosted by Vernon Kay.

In August 2016, Vegas starred in a one-off comedy pilot called Home From Home, playing the lead role of Neil Hackett.

Filmed at Skiddaw View Holiday Park, the episode aired on BBC Two on 30 August 2016.

In December 2016 it was announced that Home From Home had been commissioned for a full series to air on BBC One in 2018.

On 9 September 2017 he gained critical acclaim for his long poem about a drunk patron during last calls before bars closing.

In 2023 it was announced that Vegas would be the director for a new audio series of The Wombles for BBC Radio 4, with Richard E. Grant as voice actor.

Beginning in September 2019, Vegas has starred as the voice of the title character in the surreal children's animated series The Rubbish World of Dave Spud.

He is a regular panellist on the quiz show QI, having starred in 12 episodes as of 2019.

He has appeared as a guest panellist and team captain on Channel 4's 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, appearing in 11 episodes.