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Adrian Charles Edmondson (born 24 January 1957)[1] is an English actor, comedian, musician, writer and television presenter, who came to fame as part of the alternative comedy boom in the early 1980s. He and his comedy partner Rik Mayall starred in the television sitcoms The Young Ones (1982–1984), Filthy Rich & Catflap (1987) and Bottom (1991–1995), the last of which was written by Edmondson and Mayall, as well as the comedy feature film Guest House Paradiso (1999), which Edmondson directed and co-wrote. Edmondson and Mayall also appeared in The Comic Strip Presents... series of films throughout the 1980s and 1990s. For two episodes of this they created the spoof heavy metal band Bad News, and for another Edmondson played his nihilistic alter-ego Eddie Monsoon, an offensive South African television star.[2]

Key Information

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

[edit]

The second of four children, Adrian Charles Edmondson was born on 24 January 1957 in Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire,[1] 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.[1] Edmondson attended Pocklington School, East Riding of Yorkshire, from 1968 to 1975, from age 11 to 18.[3] 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".[4] Edmondson calculated that during his time at Pocklington, he received a total of 66 strokes of the cane as well as frequent slipperings.[4]

By the time he was in sixth form, with his parents were working abroad,[4] Edmondson began to enjoy himself, "which involved lots of drinking and smoking and petty acts of vandalism." He made some good friends at the school and had a favourite teacher.[4]

Edmondson went to the Victoria University of Manchester[5] (now known as the University of Manchester) to study drama, where he met his future comedy partner Rik Mayall, both graduating with a BA degree in 1978.[5] Edmondson and Mayall became best friends, during this time, they also met fellow student Ben Elton,[5] and soon became involved in the growing alternative comedy genre.[5]

Career

[edit]

1980s

[edit]

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.[6] 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.[7] Edmondson and the others were commissioned to act in 6 self-contained half-hour films, using the group as comedy actors rather than stand-up performers. The series, titled The Comic Strip Presents... debuted on 2 November 1982 (the opening night of Channel 4).[7] 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.[7]

Following this, the BBC signed Edmondson, Mayall, Richardson, Planer, and Sayle to star in The Young Ones,[8] a sitcom of similar anarchic style and violent slapstick as The Comic Strip. Edmondson and Mayall returned to their "Coyote" dynamic in the double act the Dangerous Brothers with Edmondson as "Sir Adrian Dangerous" in Saturday Live (1985–1987).[8]

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.[9]

In 1987, Edmondson reunited with Planer and Mayall to star in Filthy Rich & Catflap,[8] a comic attack on showbiz, again written by Elton. He played "Edward Catflap", a coarse, drunken minder of light-entertainment nonentity "Richie Rich". In this show Edmondson displayed the same slapstick characteristics as Vyvyan in The Young Ones but was closer in personality to his later character "Eddie Hitler" in Bottom.[8] The show was cancelled after one series. Edmondson was also slated to make a guest appearance along Mayall in the fifth episode of the ITV sitcom Hardwicke House.[8] Due to the adverse reaction of both press and viewers, however, ITV withdrew the series after showing only two episodes and the remaining episodes – including Edmondson's scheduled guest appearance in episode 5 – have never been shown.[10]

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.[8]

1990s

[edit]

Edmondson played Brad Majors in the 1990 West End run of The Rocky Horror Show,[11] 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.[8] Edmondson starred as "Edward Elizabeth Hitler" opposite Mayall's "Richard Richard". The series featured the slapstick, crude humour for which the pair had become famous but with more in-depth character analysis.

Edmondson played Estragon to Mayall's Vladimir in Samuel Beckett's play Waiting for Godot in the West End, in a production that opened at the Queen's Theatre on 30 September 1991. Bottom became very popular, but it was criticised for its often vulgar humour. The show was also turned into five UK stage tours (1993, 1995, 1997, 2001 and 2003).[8]

In 1993, Edmondson starred alongside Richard Briers in a black comedy called If You See God, Tell Him,[8] where Edmondson played Gordon Spry, whose uncle (Briers) is paralysed and has a greatly reduced attention span, and his erratic behaviour causes problems.[8]

In September 1995, Edmondson released his first (comic) novel, The Gobbler. In 1996, he played the role of Ace Face/Bellboy at the Who's performance of Quadrophenia at London's Hyde Park. A video game called Animal, featuring Peperami's "the animal", was released the same year, with the character being voiced by Edmondson. From 1997 to 1998, he voiced engine stoker "Limbs" Jones, a major character in the animated series Captain Star.

In the 1998 ITV pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, Edmondson played Jack's mother Dame Dolly alongside Griff Rhys Jones, Neil Morrissey, Denise Van Outen, Paul Merton, Julian Clary and Julie Walters.[11]

2000s

[edit]

Edmondson appeared regularly as Brendan Baxter in Series 4 of the BBC mystery series Jonathan Creek, broadcast in 2003–2004.[8] He had a lead role playing an NHS doctor in the comedy series Doctors and Nurses first broadcast in early 2004. In Surviving Disaster, a BBC docudrama about the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, broadcast at the start of 2006, Edmondson played the role of Valery Legasov.[12] In 2005 he appeared as a celebrity model on Star Portraits with Rolf Harris.[12] That year, he also competed on "Comic Relief Does Fame Academy" where he made it to the finale and came in 3rd place. From 2005 to 2008 he appeared as Percy "Abra" Durant in the medical drama Holby City.[12] In 2008 he played Henry Austen in the BBC produced film Miss Austen Regrets,[12] and Vernon in the ITV sitcom Teenage Kicks.[12] In April 2009, he reached the final, coming second to Linda Evans in the cooking show Hell's Kitchen.[12]

Edmondson played the role of Captain Hook in the Canterbury Marlowe Arena pantomime during its Christmas 2009 run.

2010s

[edit]

In an August 2010 edition of Radio 4's Chain Reaction programme he said to Lee Mack that he had not really quit[clarification needed] but was focusing more on music and farming. He also said that he and Mayall often spoke of a reunion when they are old men,[13] 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.[14]

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.[15] 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.[12]

Edmondson appeared on the BBC One series That's Britain! 2011.[12] In each episode, his task was to report as an "insider" in how a region of Britain works. A one-off special, Britain Beware, about the history of British public information films, was hosted by Edmondson in 2012.[12]

In August 2012, the BBC announced plans for a 2013 television adaptation of Edmondson and Mayall's 1997 Hooligan's Island tour,[16] but Edmondson announced later that year that he had pulled out of the project to pursue other interests.[17] Rik Mayall, Edmondson's long-time creative partner, died on 9 June 2014.[18]

Edmondson had a minor role in the 2012 film Blood.[12] Edmondson and Saunders reunited with their former Comic Strip colleagues in 2012 for a Gold Famous Five sequel, Five Go to Rehab.[12]

Edmondson won the 2013 BBC One cookery series of Celebrity MasterChef. In 2014, Edmondson presented Ade at Sea,[12] a factual six-part programme for the ITV network. In 2014, he played DCI Warner in the three-part mini-series Prey.[12]

He played the role of Gordon in the 2013 Chichester Festival Theatre production of Neville's Island. In 2014, he reprised the role for the show's West End run.[19] In 2015, Edmondson voiced Stanley the Dachshund in adverts for health and life insurance company Vitality.[20]

In 2016, Edmondson took part in episode 4 of The Great Sport Relief Bake Off and won the title of Star Baker.[12] Edmondson starred in an adaptation of William Leith's bestseller Bits Of Me Are Falling Apart at the Soho Theatre, London.[21][22]

Edmondson's children's book Tilly and the Time Machine was published on 4 May 2017.[23] From November 2017 into 2018, Edmondson played the character of Malvolio in the Royal Shakespeare Company's production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night.[24] 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.[25]

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....[26] In September 2018, Edmondson featured as Sergeant Dogberry in the episode "Sigh No More" of Ben Elton's Upstart Crow.[27] From September 2018 to November 2018, Edmondson toured with Nigel Planer in a play that they wrote together called Vulcan 7[28] (restaged in 2023 as It's Headed Straight Towards Us[29]). In 2019, Edmondson appeared in EastEnders as Daniel Cook.[30]

Music career

[edit]

In 1984, Edmondson formed the spoof heavy metal band Bad News,[3] as part of The Comic Strip Presents... series with Comic Strip regulars Rik Mayall, Nigel Planer and Peter Richardson.[3] The band proved popular, and they released two singles (neither of which reached the top 40) and two studio albums.[3] They also played a series of small gigs around the country, culminating in their performance at the Monsters of Rock festival in 1986.[31]

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.[3] Despite having been killed off in the final episode of the series, Edmondson played Vyvyan one last time in the video.[3] The same year he co-wrote the book How to be a Complete Bastard together with Mark Leigh and Mike Lepine.[18]

Edmondson has directed pop videos for "Fiesta" (1988) by the Pogues, "Prime Mover" (1987) by Zodiac Mindwarp, "Like the Weather" (1988) by 10,000 Maniacs, "Please Help the Cause Against Loneliness" (1988) by Sandie Shaw and "Hourglass" by Squeeze (1987).[3] The latter won Best Video at the MTV awards. He also directed "Black Sheep Wall" (1989) by The Innocence Mission, "This Town" (1989) by Elvis Costello and "When I Grow Up" (1989) by Michelle Shocked.[3]

He also directed and appeared in "International Rescue" (1989) by Fuzzbox[32] and appeared in the music video "Terry" (1983) by Kirsty MacColl.[33]

In 1991, Edmondson formed the Bum Notes, who were a jazz instrumental band and conceived exclusively to perform theme music for Bottom.[3]

A fan of the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, Edmondson performed vocals with them as part of their 2006 reformation and countrywide tour. He also contributed vocals and writing for their 2007 album Pour l'Amour des Chiens.[34]

Edmondson with the Bad Shepherds at the 2009 Cropredy Festival in Oxfordshire

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.[35]

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.[36]

Personal life

[edit]

Edmondson married comedian Jennifer Saunders on 11 May 1985.[37] They have three daughters, including musician Ella and actress Beattie.[38] He is a supporter of Exeter City F.C.[39]

Edmondson's autobiography, Berserker!: An Autobiography, was published by Pan Macmillan in September 2023.[18]

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.[40]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
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)
TBA &Sons John Payle Short film. Post-production

Television

[edit]
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 Series 2; Episode 5: "Honest, Decent and True"
1987 Filthy Rich & Catflap Edward Catflap Episodes 1–6
Hardwicke House Tiny Episode 5: "The Old Boys".
Guest appearance.
1988 French and Saunders John Series 2; Episode 5: "Potholing"
1989 Press Gang Simon Knowles Series 1; Episode 3: "One Easy Lesson"
A Night of Comic Relief 2 Vyvyan Television special for Comic Relief
Blackadder Goes Forth Baron von Richthofen Episode 4: "Private Plane"
Snakes and Ladders Giles Episodes 1–7
Hysteria 2! Himself Standup special for The Terrence Higgins Trust
The Secret Policeman's Biggest Ball Standup special for Amnesty International
1990 Screen One Phil Burke Series 2; Episode 1: "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 Series 1; Episode 6: "Magazine" and Series 2; Episode 4: "New Best Friend"
1993 Jackanory Storyteller Series 31; Episodes 25–29: "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[41]
2022 A Spy Among Friends[42] Sir Roger Hollis Mini-series; Episodes 1–6
2023 Rain Dogs Lenny 5 episodes
2023–2024 Toad & Friends Toad (voice role) Animated series[43]
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
TBA Bergerac Nigel Upcoming role[44]

Video games

[edit]
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

[edit]
Year Title Role Venue
1990 The Rocky Horror Show Brad Majors Piccadilly Theatre, London
1991 Waiting for Godot Estragon Queen's Theatre, London
2006 The Rocky Horror Tribute Show Concert Brad Majors (shared) Royal Court Theatre, London
2013 Neville's Island Gordon Theatre in the Park, Chichester
2014 Duke of York's Theatre, London
2015 Rocky Horror Show Live Second Narrator Playhouse Theatre, London
2016 Bits of Me Are Falling Apart Performer and co-adaptor Soho Theatre, London
2017 Twelfth Night Malvolio Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon
2018 Vulcan 7 Gary Savage and co-writer UK tour
2019 The Boy Friend Lord Brockhurst Menier Chocolate Factory, London
2021 Once Upon a Time in Nazi Occupied Tunisia Grandma Almeida Theatre, London
2022 A Christmas Carol Ebenezer Scrooge Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon

Narration

[edit]
Year Title Notes
1995 Stark Audiobook reading of the Ben Elton book
The Cat in the Hat Audiobook reading of the Dr. Seuss book The Cat in the Hat
Green Eggs and Ham Audiobook reading of the Dr. Seuss book Green Eggs and Ham
Fox in Socks Audiobook reading of the Dr. Seuss book Fox in Socks
The Gobbler Audiobook of Edmondson reading his book of the same name
1996 The Cat in the Hat and Other Stories Audiobook of Edmondson reading Dr. Seuss' stories (Re-released 2007)
2005 Pirates Audiobook

Books

[edit]
Year Title Publisher ISBN
1986 How to be a Complete Bastard Virgin Books ISBN 978-0863691829
1988 The Complete Bastard's Book of the Worst Virgin Books ISBN 978-0863692826
1995 The Gobbler William Heinemann ISBN 978-0434001491
2017 Tilly and the Time Machine Puffin Books ISBN 978-0141372457
2018 Junkyard Jack and the Horse That Talked Puffin Books ISBN 978-0141372495
2023 Berserker! Macmillan ISBN 978-1035014279

Discography

[edit]
Albums
Year Title Band Notes
1987 Bad News Bad News Album by The Comic Strip's spin-off band (Re-released 1989 and 2004)
1988 Bootleg Bad News Second album by Bad News
1991 Cash in Compilation Bad News Compilation album of randomly picked tracks
2007 Pour l'Amour des Chiens Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band Vocals and writing
2009 Yan, Tyan, Tethera, Methera The Bad Shepherds debut album by the Bad Shepherds
2010 By Hook or By Crook The Bad Shepherds Second album by the Bad Shepherds
2013 Mud, Blood & Beer The Bad Shepherds Third album by the Bad Shepherds
Non-album songs
Year Title Artist Notes
1986 "Living Doll" Cliff Richard with the Young Ones In character as Vyvyan from The Young Ones
1991 "Last Night" The Bum Notes Cover of the Mar-Keys track, used in the credits for Bottom
1992 "This Wheel's on Fire" Julie Driscoll and Ade Edmondson As the theme song for sitcom Absolutely Fabulous

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Adrian Edmondson

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Adrian Charles Edmondson (born 24 January 1957) is an English actor, comedian, musician, writer, and television presenter best known for his anarchic roles in the alternative comedy series The Young Ones (1982–1984) and Bottom (1991–1995). Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Edmondson attended Pocklington School, a private boarding school in Yorkshire, before studying drama at the University of Manchester in the mid-1970s, where he met lifelong collaborator Rik Mayall. Together, they formed the stand-up duo Twentieth Century Coyote and contributed to the groundbreaking The Comic Strip Presents... anthology series on Channel 4 starting in 1982, co-founding the influential Comic Strip collective alongside performers like Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders. Edmondson's breakthrough came as the punk student Vyvyan Basterd in The Young Ones, a sitcom that redefined youth-oriented comedy with its chaotic energy and social satire, written by and Mayall. He later co-created and starred as the slovenly Eddie Hitler opposite Mayall's Richie Richard in Bottom, a violent series that spawned stage adaptations and the 1999 film , which Edmondson directed. Their partnership also featured in Filthy Rich and Catflap (1987) and the stunt-oriented sketches on Saturday Live (1985–1987). Beyond comedy, Edmondson has pursued a diverse career in acting, appearing as Brendan Baxter in (2003–2004), Count Ilya Rostov in the BBC's War & Peace (2016), and in roles such as Sir Roger Hollis in (2022) and Lenny in (2023). He has also ventured into music with the heavy metal spoof band Bad News in the 1980s and later folk projects like , and directed episodes of Presents.... In , he married comedian in 1985, and they have three daughters; the couple resides primarily in , where Edmondson has taken up competitive vegetable gardening. His 2023 autobiography, Berserker!, chronicles his journey from a strict Methodist upbringing to comedy stardom.

Early life and education

Childhood and family background

Adrian Edmondson was born on 24 January 1957 in , , . He grew up as the second of four children in a family shaped by his father's career as a schoolmaster and teacher in the . This profession necessitated frequent relocations, with the family moving to various locations including in 1959, , and , alongside stays across . His parents, influenced by a strict Methodist background marked by wartime hardships, maintained an emotionally distant household, where physical affection waned early—his father ceased kissing him after age seven—and expectations emphasized intellectual rigor over warmth. Edmondson had one older sister and two younger brothers, though he was the only sibling sent away to , heightening his sense of isolation. The constant upheaval from his father's job meant Edmondson attended a series of different schools in his early years, disrupting continuity and contributing to a restless childhood. From age 11 to 18 (1968–1975), he boarded at Pocklington School, a traditional boys' institution in East Yorkshire, where the environment was highly regimented and enforced through corporal punishment, including beatings with sticks by teachers. He saw his family only twice a year during this period, exacerbating the emotional gap at home. In his 2023 autobiography Berserker!, Edmondson reflects on this phase as a "loveless and alienating" time, characterized by a strict, authoritarian family dynamic and school experiences that included , particularly over his name's perceived , which intensified feelings of alienation and prompted him to seek substitute thrills through risk-taking. These early influences fostered a rebellious streak that later informed his comedic persona, though he notes the lasting impact of parental disappointment in his pursuits.

University and early influences

Edmondson enrolled at the in 1975 to pursue a degree in , where he immersed himself in the during a period of cultural experimentation in British higher education. His studies provided a foundation in theatrical techniques, but it was the vibrant student scene that sparked his interest in comedy. During his second year, in October 1976, he joined the newly formed group 20th Century Coyote, founded by fellow student Lloyd Peters and including , Mike Redfern, and Mark Dewison. The troupe's formation marked Edmondson's entry into collaborative performance, blending drama coursework with spontaneous humor. The group quickly began staging improvised shows that emphasized chaotic, physical comedy, performing at local venues such as the jazz club Band on the Wall in Manchester's Northern Quarter. Their early sketches, often re-improvised during live sets, featured absurd narratives and slapstick elements that foreshadowed the anarchic style defining much of Edmondson's later work. These performances, lasting around 40 minutes, drew on standard comedy tropes but twisted them through audience interaction and on-stage unpredictability, helping to cultivate the troupe's reputation among university circles. By 1978, 20th Century Coyote had evolved to include a spin-off production presented at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, exposing Edmondson to professional-level fringe theatre environments. Edmondson graduated with a BA in in 1978 and relocated to shortly thereafter to advance his acting ambitions. In the capital, he sustained himself through various odd jobs while continuing to engage in and circuits, building on the improvisational skills honed at . This transitional phase solidified his commitment to alternative performance, bridging academic training with the emerging comedy scene.

Career

1980s breakthrough

Edmondson's entry into television comedy came in 1981 with his debut appearance alongside in the charity show Fundamental Frolics, a production recorded at the Apollo Theatre in to benefit , where the duo performed as their anarchic stage act 20th Century Coyote. This performance marked an early showcase of their physical, style during the emerging scene. His breakthrough arrived with the role of Vyvyan Basterd, the destructive punk medical student, in the sitcom The Young Ones (1982–1984), co-starring with Mayall as Rick, as Neil, and as Mike. The series, written by , Mayall, and , blended surreal sketches, live music from acts like the Damned and Madness, and , resonating deeply with 1980s by capturing the punk ethos and student disillusionment under . It propelled into the mainstream, launching Edmondson and his collaborators to national fame and influencing a generation of irreverent TV humor. In 1983, Edmondson co-created and starred as lead singer Vim Fuego in the spoof heavy metal band Bad News for the series Presents..., debuting in the Bad News Tour, which followed the band's chaotic fictional road trip. The group, also featuring Mayall as guitarist Colin Grigson, Planer as bassist Den Dennis, and Peter Richardson as drummer Spider Webb, satirized rock excess through inept performances and infighting, with the episode airing that January. Bad News reunited for further sketches and live appearances in 1984, including events that amplified their cult appeal within the circuit. Edmondson expanded into film with his starring role as Dennis Carter in The Supergrass (1985), a production directed by Peter Richardson, where he played a hapless holidaymaker whose fabricated drug-smuggling story spirals into involving police and criminals. He reunited with Mayall and Planer for the BBC sitcom Filthy Rich & Catflap (1987), portraying the alcoholic minder Eddie Catflap to Mayall's deluded actor Richie Rich and Planer’s sleazy agent Ralph Filthy, in a six-episode of showbiz mediocrity written by Elton. The series featured brutal and jabs at Thatcher-era . Edmondson and Mayall also toured live in the late 1980s, adapting The Young Ones material for stage shows that extended the sitcom's anarchic energy to audiences. Their collaboration continued with the stunt-oriented sketches on Saturday Live (1985–1987) and the 1986 video Dangerous Brothers Present: World of Danger.

1990s collaborations and expansions

Following the success of their earlier collaborations, such as The Young Ones, Adrian Edmondson and expanded their partnership into the Bottom, which they co-created and co-wrote for . Airing from 1991 to 1995 across three series, the show starred Edmondson as the alcoholic, slovenly Eddie Hitler, alongside Mayall's Richie Richard, depicting the duo's chaotic life as flatmates in a filled with and absurd mishaps. The series' scripts, jointly penned by Edmondson and Mayall, emphasized anarchic humor and cartoonish violence, drawing on their established dynamic while evolving into more serialized misadventures. The popularity of Bottom extended beyond television into live theatre tours, beginning with Bottom Live: The Stage Show in 1993, which Edmondson and Mayall performed across British venues, adapting the characters for stage with improvised elements and heightened . Subsequent tours, including Bottom Live 2: 's Out in 1995 and Bottom Live 3: Hooligan's Island in 1997, further showcased their on-stage chemistry, attracting large audiences and solidifying their status as a live act. This theatrical expansion allowed for direct audience interaction, amplifying the show's crude, violent appeal in sold-out runs. In 1999, the duo brought their characters to the big screen in , a written by Mayall and Edmondson, with Edmondson making his directorial debut; the follows Richie and Eddie managing a rundown hotel near a , encountering escalating disasters and celebrity cameos. Edmondson diversified his 1990s output with guest roles in other productions, including appearances in (1992 and 1994) as the boorish and a recurring role as TV producer Brendan Baxter in starting in 2003. Building on his earlier forays into directing music videos—such as Squeeze's "Hourglass" (1987), which won two , and Elvis Costello's "This Town" (1989)—Edmondson applied his visual storytelling skills to . He also ventured into writing with his debut novel The Gobbler (1995), a satirical tale of a fading TV comedian grappling with personal and professional decline, published by William Heinemann.

2000s diversification

In the early , Adrian Edmondson began diversifying his career beyond his established roots, venturing into dramatic and documentary roles that showcased his range as an actor. One notable example was his lead performance as in the Surviving Disaster (2006), where he portrayed the Soviet scientist central to the Chernobyl nuclear disaster response, marking a significant departure from comedic characters into serious . This project highlighted his ability to handle intense, factual narratives, contributing to the series' educational focus on global catastrophes. Similarly, his recurring role as Dr. Percy "Abra" Durant in the medical drama Holby City from 2005 to 2008 allowed him to explore grounded, professional ensemble storytelling, appearing in over 20 episodes as a navigating politics and personal crises. Edmondson also took on period drama with his portrayal of Henry Austen, brother to , in the film Miss Austen Regrets (2007), a biographical piece examining the writer's later life and unfulfilled aspirations. This role emphasized subtle emotional depth over , aligning with his growing interest in literary adaptations. These projects reflected a deliberate shift toward more mature, narrative-driven work, often with family viewing appeal through their dramatic restraint. Complementing his acting, Edmondson returned briefly to collaborative comedy with a stage production of Bottom 2001: An Arse Oddity alongside , a one-off live extension of their iconic series that toured theaters. He also created and starred in the sitcom (2006–2007), playing a divorced father adjusting to life with his adult children, blending humor with relatable family dynamics in a lighter, domestic setting. By the end of the decade, Edmondson expanded into music by forming the folk-punk band The Bad Shepherds in 2008, where he performed on mandolin and vocals, reinterpreting punk classics with traditional instrumentation for a fresh, cross-generational audience. Additionally, he competed as runner-up on the reality series Hell's Kitchen (2009), hosted by Gordon Ramsay, showcasing his competitive side in a high-pressure culinary environment that appealed to his interest in practical skills.

2010s television focus

During the 2010s, Adrian Edmondson shifted his focus toward dramatic and comedic television roles, showcasing his versatility beyond his earlier anarchic comedy work. He took on supporting parts in several high-profile series, blending with more nuanced performances that received critical praise. This period marked a maturation in his TV career, with appearances in both period dramas and contemporary thrillers. In 2014, Edmondson appeared as Assistant Chief Constable Warner in the ITV thriller miniseries Prey, a tense cat-and-mouse story starring John Simm as a detective on the run. His authoritative turn as the pursuing police superior added gravitas to the narrative, which explored themes of paranoia and institutional distrust across three episodes. The series was noted for its gripping pacing and strong ensemble, though it received mixed reviews for its plot twists. Edmondson also made guest appearances in period dramas, including as Charlie in the 2012 episode "Girl" of ITV's Endeavour, the prequel to Inspector Morse, where he played a suspect in a murder investigation set in 1960s Oxford. These roles underscored his ability to embody complex historical figures with understated depth. Returning to comedy, Edmondson guest-starred as the bumbling Sergeant Dogberry in the episode "Sigh No More" of BBC Two's , Ben Elton's sitcom imagining William Shakespeare's early career. Drawing on his comedic roots, the appearance parodied and featured elements that echoed his past collaborations. The episode was part of a series praised for its sharp wordplay and star cameos. Edmondson ventured into directing with the 2011 Comic Relief special Uptown Downstairs Abbey, a parody of starring and . The one-off sketch, which he helmed behind the camera, raised funds through satirical takes on class and period tropes. This project demonstrated his multifaceted involvement in television production during the decade.

2020s recent roles

Edmondson took on a supporting role as DC Phil Mercier in the 2022 ITV miniseries The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, a true-crime depicting the infamous case of John Darwin faking his death for . Directed across its four episodes, the series highlighted his ability to portray authoritative figures in tense, real-life inspired narratives. In 2024, Edmondson featured prominently in Bottom: Exposed, a two-hour documentary on U&Gold that explored the creation and cultural impact of the 1990s sitcom Bottom, where he starred alongside the late Rik Mayall. Providing first-hand accounts and archival insights, he reflected on their anarchic partnership and Mayall's enduring influence following his 2014 death. That same year, he contributed to BBC Radio 4's Archive on 4: Rik Mayall – Panglobal Phenomenon, a program delving into Mayall's career through interviews and clips, where Edmondson shared personal anecdotes about their collaborations and the evolution of alternative comedy. Edmondson expanded into international science fiction with recurring roles in two high-profile series. In Netflix's 3 Body Problem (2024), he portrayed Denys Porlock, a pragmatic corporate executive clashing with ethical dilemmas in research, appearing in three episodes of the adaptation of Liu Cixin's novel. Similarly, in Three's Kidnapped: The Chloe Ayling Story (2024), he played Phil Green, a navigating the media frenzy surrounding the real-life 2017 abduction of model Ayling, across all four episodes. These performances underscored his shift toward global streaming projects post-pandemic. Looking ahead, Edmondson stars as the synthetic android Atom Eins in the FX/Disney+ series Alien: Earth (2025), a prequel to the Alien franchise directed by Noah Hawley, appearing in all eight episodes as a key figure in a corporate conspiracy involving xenomorph threats on Earth. In parallel, he wrote the audio play Waiting for Waiting for Godot for BBC Radio 4 in 2025, a comedic reinterpretation of Samuel Beckett's classic set during the COVID-19 lockdown, blending absurdity with reflections on isolation and friendship. Amid these roles, Edmondson promoted his 2023 autobiography Berserker!, discussing its themes of personal growth and creative partnerships in interviews tied to his recent projects.

Music career

Band involvements

Adrian Edmondson first gained prominence in the music scene through his involvement with the spoof heavy metal band Bad News, formed as part of the series Presents... in 1983. The band, featuring Edmondson as lead singer and guitarist Vim Fuego alongside , Peter Richardson, and , parodied the excesses of the heavy metal genre in the Bad News Tour, written by Edmondson and directed by . This satirical take on rock band dynamics and touring mishaps predated the similar American film by a year, influencing later comedy portrayals of metal culture with its absurd humor and exaggerated egos. Bad News reconvened for the 1988 sequel More Bad News, which followed the group's chaotic attempt to secure a spot at the festival, further cementing their cult status in music. In the mid-2000s, Edmondson joined reunion efforts with the , the influential Dadaist art-rock group known for blending , , and . He participated in their 40th anniversary celebrations, including a concert at London's Astoria in January 2006 alongside original members and Rodney Slater, and comedians and . This led to a nationwide tour in November 2006, where Edmondson and Jupitus filled in for deceased original members, performing the band's whimsical classics and contributing to the revival of their eccentric legacy. His occasional involvement highlighted a shift toward more earnest musical endeavors, drawing on the Bonzos' innovative mix of humor and experimentation. Edmondson formed in 2008, transitioning from comedic music to a serious folk-punk outfit that reinterprets punk and new wave songs using traditional instruments like , , and . Fronting the band on vocals and , he collaborated with musicians including on pipes and whistles, creating energetic covers of tracks by artists like and , performed not as parody but as a genuine fusion of folk energy and punk attitude. The group has maintained an active presence, appearing at major festivals such as in 2010 on the Avalon Stage, where their heartfelt and humorous delivery drew praise for revitalizing punk through folk traditions. This evolution reflects Edmondson's growing interest in , moving beyond comedy sketches to explore punk's rebellious spirit in a more acoustic, narrative-driven style.

Solo and collaborative projects

Edmondson's solo music endeavors are limited, but he has engaged in notable collaborative projects that highlight his vocal talents and interest in reinterpretations of popular songs. In 1986, he contributed vocals to the charity single "Living Doll," a reworking of Cliff Richard's 1959 hit, alongside fellow Young Ones cast members , , and , with guest appearances by Richard and . Released to support , the track raised funds for famine relief in and (80%) and UK charities (20%), topping the UK Singles Chart for three weeks and selling over a million copies. A key collaborative effort came in 1992 when Edmondson duetted with on a stripped-down acoustic version of Driscoll's 1968 hit "," recorded as the theme for the sitcom . The song's raw, bluesy arrangement complemented the show's eccentric tone and became iconic, airing across all five series and specials from 1992 to 2012. Beyond recordings, Edmondson has participated in live collaborations that blend his punk roots with folk influences. For instance, in 2013, he performed a folk-punk rendition of and ' "What a Waste" during a concert at the O2 Academy in with his band , showcasing his ability to adapt rock classics to and acoustic arrangements in intimate settings. Similar live outings included covers of songs by artists like The Stranglers and , often at folk festivals, emphasizing communal music-making over commercial output. Edmondson has also lent his voice to music-related narration projects. In 2024, he narrated (alongside others) the The Young Ones: The Complete BBC TV Soundtracks, providing commentary on the punk and alternative tracks featured in the 1980s series, drawing from his firsthand experiences with the show's eclectic musical guests. This work extended his involvement in music documentation, bridging his comedic and musical careers.

Writing career

Novels and scripts

Adrian Edmondson's writing career encompasses both adult fiction and , as well as comedic scripts for television. In the , he co-authored humorous books including How to Be a Complete Bastard (1987) and The Bastard's Book of the Worst (1988, with Mark Leigh and Mike Lepine), published by Virgin Books, which were spin-offs from his comedic characters. His , The Gobbler, published in 1995 by William Heinemann, offers a satirical portrayal of the entertainment industry through the misadventures of Julian Mann, a self-absorbed actor grappling with career decline, financial woes, and personal excesses. The narrative employs absurdity and sharp on fame and vanity, reflecting themes common in Edmondson's comedic work. In the realm of scripts, Edmondson co-wrote the sitcom Bottom (1991–1995) alongside his longtime collaborator , starring as the hapless Eddie Hitler opposite Mayall's Richie Richard. The series, known for its crude humor, physical , and exaggerated depictions of male friendship and misfortune, drew from their earlier collaborations and emphasized themes of in everyday failures. Scripts for the show were characterized by rapid-fire dialogue and chaotic scenarios, contributing to its cult status among audiences. Edmondson later ventured into children's fiction with Tilly and the Time Machine (2017, ), a middle-grade adventure following a young girl who uses her father's invention to travel through historical events, blending humor with educational elements on perseverance and family bonds. This was followed by Junkyard Jack and the Horse That Talked (2018, ), where protagonist Jack discovers a talking amid a backdrop of quirky antics and triumphs, infused with whimsical and light social on and resilience. These works mark Edmondson's shift toward imaginative storytelling for younger readers in the late , maintaining his signature blend of humor and .

Autobiography and memoirs

Adrian Edmondson's primary autobiographical work, Berserker!: An Autobiography, was published in September 2023 by Pan Macmillan. The candidly explores his childhood marked by a strict Methodist upbringing and emotional distance from his father, which he links to a lifelong pursuit of adrenaline-fueled activities to compensate for unmet affection needs. It traces his comedic career highlights, including anarchic roles in The Young Ones and Bottom, while delving into his profound friendship with the late , whom he describes as a transformative collaborator and brotherly figure. Additionally, the book addresses struggles, such as the pressures of fame and personal vulnerabilities, blending humor with raw introspection. Earlier, in 2021, Edmondson contributed to 3's The Essay series, delivering reflective pieces on pivotal moments of personal and social change in his life, serving as a precursor to a full without committing to a comprehensive life narrative. He has also shared memoir-like insights through interviews and essays, often discussing his adrenaline-seeking behaviors—rooted in childhood repression—as a driving force in his and hobbies like and extreme sports. Reflections on family life appear prominently, including his marriage to , fatherhood to their three daughters, and the balance between a career and a grounded home in . Berserker! received widespread acclaim for its honest, witty prose and emotional depth, with reviewers praising its balance of anarchic anecdotes and poignant revelations about loss and resilience. The book debuted as a Sunday Times and earned a Best Audio of 2023 nomination for its author-narrated edition, contributing to strong sales that prompted a release in May 2024. Its impact extended to media, including Edmondson's filmed contributions to the 2024 documentary Bottom Exposed, which examines the creation of Bottom and echoes the memoir's themes of creative partnership with Mayall.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Adrian Edmondson met comedian in the early 1980s on London's circuit, where they both performed as part of collective. The couple married on 11 May 1985 in , with serving as best man. Edmondson and Saunders have three daughters: Ella (born 22 January 1986), a known for her folk-influenced albums; Beattie (born 19 June 1987), an actress recognized for roles in sitcoms such as and films like ; and Freya (born 16 October 1990), who has worked as an actress and costume designer. The family has long resided in a Grade II-listed manor house in Dartmoor National Park, Devon, providing a serene rural setting that supports their balance of high-profile careers with family priorities. In 2025, the couple became embroiled in a planning dispute over a proposed extension to their home. Over the years, Edmondson has made occasional cameo appearances in Saunders' hit series Absolutely Fabulous, including as the character Hamish and contributing vocals to the theme song "This Wheel's on Fire," blending their professional collaborations with family life.

Health challenges and reflections

In 2009, , Edmondson's wife of over two decades, was diagnosed with , undergoing eight months of and radiotherapy at before receiving the all-clear in June 2010. The ordeal left Edmondson feeling profoundly helpless, as he later recounted in interviews, noting the "brutal" and "grinding" nature of the treatments, which involved weekly sessions lasting three to four hours with drips, and emphasizing that "there's nothing I could do to take it away." This family crisis compounded the emotional strain on their household, prompting Edmondson to reflect on the vulnerability of loved ones and the limits of his support role during her recovery, which required ongoing monitoring for five years to confirm remission. Edmondson has openly discussed his lifelong battle with depression and , which he described as a constant presence from childhood, stemming from a strict Methodist upbringing and traumatic experiences marked by . In his 2023 autobiography Berserker!, he revealed contemplating almost daily during his youth, including a 1970s incident where, following a relationship breakdown, he disabled the brakes on his motorbike and rode into traffic, only to be prescribed tranquilisers by a university doctor without further intervention. These struggles persisted into adulthood, but Edmondson credits a pivotal realization—sparked by the deaths of friends—that would devastate others as a turning point; he later sought after 20 years of marriage and now manages anxiety with the medication , viewing his past adrenaline-fueled chaos as a misguided substitute for childhood . In recent years, Edmondson has embraced rural living in as a therapeutic shift, channeling energy into —where he has won local prizes for vegetables like cucumbers and spring onions—and quieter pursuits that replace his former "" intensity with stability. At age 68, he reflects on aging with a mix of humor and regret, particularly as a baby boomer who believes his generation has "f---ed the whole thing up" for younger people through unaffordable , which he described as having risen from three times earnings in his youth to 27 times today, and squandered privileges like the NHS and cultural booms. He has redirected the adrenaline of his comedic heyday toward family, finding fulfillment in his five grandchildren and 40-year marriage to Saunders, stating that "all my later stuff comes from a place of love" and pondering life's fragility after losses like his mother-in-law's death.

Filmography

Film roles

Edmondson has appeared in around 15 feature films across his career, primarily in comedic roles early on but expanding into drama, thriller, horror, and genres. His film debut came in 1985 with the The Supergrass, in which he portrayed Dennis Carter, a hapless teenager who invents a criminal past to gain popularity. In 1987, he played Charles, a radical waiter involved in a restaurant-based revolution, in the satirical black comedy Eat the Rich. In 1991, he took on the role of Father Rookie, a bumbling priest entangled in a papal mix-up, in the farce The Pope Must Die. He also appeared as Mordecai Mendoza, a Jewish navigator, in the historical spoof Carry On Columbus (1992). In 1999, Edmondson starred as and co-directed Eddie, the chaotic owner of a failing seaside hotel, in Guest House Paradiso, a big-screen spin-off from his television series Bottom. Edmondson voiced the lead character Terkel, a mischievous schoolboy facing everyday troubles, in the 2004 Danish animated comedy Terkel in Trouble. Shifting to drama, Edmondson portrayed Tom Tiernan, a family man confronting dark secrets, in the 2012 thriller Blood. He appeared as Herr Lubtak, a stern promoter, in the 2017 historical drama Interlude in Prague about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. That year, Edmondson also played the First Order officer Captain Peavey in the epic Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi. In the 2017 horror film The Rizen, he took on the role of an enigmatic Interviewer questioning survivors of a supernatural outbreak. Edmondson reprised a similar interviewer character in the 2019 horror sequel The Facility. In 2021, he played Edward Acton, a key figure in a climate science scandal, in the biographical drama The Trick. His most recent film role includes voice work in the 2021 animated feature Best Birthday Ever.

Television appearances

Edmondson rose to fame playing the aggressive punk Vyvyan Basterd in the sitcom The Young Ones, which ran for two series from 1982 to 1984. He reunited with frequent collaborator for the 1987 BBC comedy , portraying the down-on-his-luck actor Spud. Alongside Mayall, whom he co-wrote the series with, Edmondson starred as the lazy, beer-loving Eddie Hitler in the sitcom Bottom across three series and several specials from 1991 to 1995. In 2000, he led the cast of the short-lived comedy Doctors and Nurses as the bumbling NHS doctor . From 2003 to 2016, he played investigator Brendan Baxter in the mystery series over five series. From 2005 to 2008, Edmondson appeared in multiple episodes of the medical drama as the surgeon Percy "Abra" Durant. He portrayed Soviet scientist in the 2006 docudrama series , focusing on the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. Edmondson competed as a contestant on the BBC's Celebrity MasterChef in 2013, ultimately winning the competition with a menu featuring venison and sea bass. In 2016, he played the affable but financially reckless Count Ilya Rostov in the BBC One adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace. He guest-starred as Charles Crabtree in the 2020 series 9 premiere of BBC's Death in Paradise. Edmondson appeared as Hugo Welles in the 2021 episode "Happy Families" of ITV's Midsomer Murders. In 2022–2024, he portrayed night response officer Chris Carter in the drama across two series. In 2024, he had a recurring supporting role as the corporate executive Denys in the science fiction series 3 Body Problem. Edmondson stars as the synthetic character Atom Eins in the 2025 on series Alien: Earth.

Theatre productions

Following his graduation from the University of Manchester in 1978, where he studied drama, Adrian Edmondson began his stage career in the burgeoning scene, performing in fringe and pub theatres across alongside and other collaborators. These early appearances, often in improvisational and sketch-based shows with the group 20th Century Coyote, helped establish his reputation for in intimate venues like the Circuit Club and . Edmondson achieved significant success with live tours adapting the television series Bottom, co-created with Mayall, which he reprised onstage as the character Eddie. The first production, Bottom Live – The Stage Show, toured the in 1993 and was recorded at the Fox Theatre in Birmingham for video release. Subsequent tours included Bottom Live: The Big Number 2 Tour in 1995, Bottom Live 3: Hooligan's Island in 1997, Bottom Live 2001: An Arse Oddity, and Bottom Live 2003: Weapons Grade Y-Fronts Tour, each extending to major venues and emphasizing chaotic, audience-interactive . These five tours collectively drew large audiences, blending scripted routines with improvised elements drawn from the series. Beyond these, Edmondson has appeared in a range of dramatic and comedic stage roles, often in prestigious productions. In 1990, he played Brad Majors in a revival of at the in London's West End. The following year, he portrayed opposite Mayall's in Samuel Beckett's at the Queen's Theatre, also in the West End, directed by Les Blair; the production ran from September 1991 to January 1992. He reprised Brad Majors in for its 40th anniversary production at the in 2006. In the 2010s and 2020s, Edmondson's theatre work shifted toward ensemble dramas and new writing. He starred as Gordon in Tim Firth's Neville's Island at in 2013, transferring to the West End's in 2014 with co-stars including and . Other notable roles include in Christopher Luscombe's for the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 2017, the Nazi officer in Josh Azouz's Once Upon a Time in Nazi Occupied at the in 2021, and in the RSC's at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in 2022. He co-wrote and starred in It's Headed Straight Towards Us with at the Park Theatre in 2023, exploring the dynamics of aging actors. Across his career, Edmondson has contributed to over a dozen major stage productions, with several West End runs highlighting his versatility from comedy to classical theatre.

Video games and narration

Edmondson has contributed voice work to a select number of video games, primarily in comedic or promotional contexts. In 1996, he voiced the mascot character known as "the animal" (Peperami) in Animal, a point-and-click adventure game developed by Microtime Media as a tie-in for the Peperami snack brand, where players solve puzzles involving the character's chaotic antics. His performance drew on his established vocal style from advertisements for the product. More recently, in 2022, Edmondson provided the voice for Captain Peavey, reprising a minor role from the Star Wars film franchise, in the action-adventure title Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga by Traveller's Tales. Beyond gaming, Edmondson has lent his distinctive gravelly voice to narration for various documentaries, often blending observational storytelling with his wry humor. In 2007, he narrated the program If It Ain't Stiff, a documentary tracing the rise and influence of the independent label , featuring interviews with artists like and . Three years earlier, in 2006, he starred and narrated the Chernobyl episode of the series , a drama-reenactment exploring strategies in catastrophic events. In 2011, Edmondson hosted and provided ongoing narration for the ITV observational series The Dales, following rural families and farmers in the over a summer, highlighting traditional livelihoods amid changing landscapes. Edmondson's narration work has also extended to tributes for collaborators. In 2024, he offered personal voice-over reflections in the Gold channel documentary Bottom: Exposed, marking the 30th anniversary of the sitcom Bottom and honoring his late co-star Rik Mayall through unseen footage and cast insights.

Discography

With Bad News

Bad News, the fictional heavy metal band in which Adrian Edmondson portrayed lead singer and guitarist Vim Fuego, originated as a comedic creation for the Channel 4 anthology series The Comic Strip Presents..., debuting in the 1983 episode "Bad News Tour." The band's sole studio album, Bad News, was released in October 1987 by , produced by Queen guitarist , and featured parody tracks such as "Warriors of Genghis Khan" and "Masturbike Song," alongside a cover of Queen's "." The album peaked at number 69 on the , spending one week in the Top 75. In conjunction with the band's mockumentary-style appearances, particularly the 1988 Comic Strip Presents... episode "More Bad News," which documented their fictional performance at the festival, Bad News issued the single "" in 1987. This cover reached number 44 on the UK Singles Chart, charting for five weeks. A live album, Bootleg, capturing performances from the band's chaotic "tour," followed in 1988 but did not chart. The band briefly reunited in 2009 for a performance at the , though no new recordings were released at that time.

With The Bad Shepherds

The Bad Shepherds was an English band formed by Adrian Edmondson in 2008, featuring him on , , and vocals alongside musicians such as on and whistles, and Andy Dinan on . The group specialized in reinterpreting punk and new wave tracks in a traditional folk style, using acoustic instruments to create energetic arrangements that blended Celtic influences with rebellious energy. They gained recognition for their live performances, earning a nomination for Best Live Act at the 2010 . The band's debut album, Yan, Tyan, Tethera, Methera!, was released in May 2009 on Monsoon Music. This 11-track collection included folk-style covers of punk classics such as "God Save the Queen" by the and "London Calling" by , alongside original instrumentals like "Fraher's Jig / Coppers & Brass / The Old Bush / Rip the Calico." The title drew from traditional Cumbrian sheep-counting numbers, reflecting the band's rustic yet anarchic aesthetic. Their second studio album, , followed in November 2010, also on Monsoon Music. Comprising nine tracks that often medleyed multiple songs, it featured reinterpretations like "Anarchy in the UK" by the and "White Riot" by , emphasizing the band's signature fusion of folk fiddles, pipes, and punk attitude. The final album, Mud, Blood & Beer, appeared in 2013. This 10-track release continued the cover-heavy approach with selections such as "No More Heroes" by The Stranglers and "Gary Gilmore's Eyes" by , incorporating more original material while maintaining the high-energy sound. Although no official live albums were released, were renowned for their festival appearances, including performances at the Folk Festival in 2010, where recordings of tracks like "Friday Night, Saturday Morning" captured their dynamic stage presence. disbanded in late 2016 after a planned tour and live recording project fell through.

Other recordings

In addition to his work with bands, Adrian Edmondson has contributed to various solo and collaborative music projects. In 1986, he provided guest vocals as his character Vyvyan from The Young Ones on the charity single "Living Doll," a release recorded with , , and his Young Ones co-stars , , and ; the track topped the UK Singles Chart for three weeks, raising funds for the cause. Edmondson also participated in reunion efforts with the , a group he admired from his youth. He performed guest vocals on their 2007 studio album Pour l'Amour des Chiens, the band's first new material in 35 years, including a cover of ' "" alongside original members and , as well as fellow guests and . For television soundtracks, Edmondson contributed to the theme music for the sitcom Bottom, which he co-created and starred in with Mayall. The opening credits featured "B.B.'s Blues," a cover of the track performed by The Bum Notes, a Edmondson was previously involved with.

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  29. https://www.loudersound.com/features/the-10-best-squeeze-videos-by-chris-difford
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  49. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2010/apr/14/glastonbury-2010-full-lineup
  50. https://www.bbc.com/news/av/entertainment-arts-23693577
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  53. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bP3jwG2jhE
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  55. https://books.google.com/books?id=XJvepwuH04UC
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  58. https://www.tes.com/magazine/archive/class-book-review-junkyard-jack-and-horse-talked
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  61. https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1818177/Adrian-Edmondson-book-autobiography-Berserker
  62. https://archive.org/details/the-essay-adrian-edmondson
  63. https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/saturday/audio/2018916874/adrian-edmondson-the-more-you-hurt-yourself-the-more-people-laugh
  64. https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/09/book-review-berserker-by-adrian-edmondson/
  65. https://professionalmoron.com/2023/10/21/berserker-autobiography-by-adrian-edmondson/
  66. https://www.audible.com/pd/Berserker-Audiobook/B0BZ4N6HGN
  67. https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/7540/bottom-exposed-documentary/
  68. https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/may/05/adrian-edmondson-met-my-wife-in-a-strip-club-the-young-ones-jennifer-saunders
  69. https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/jennifer-saunders-love-life-depeche-31814009
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  71. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p01jwgpw/p01jwfg4
  72. https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1229452/jennifer-saunders-husband-ade-edmondson-strip-club-graham-norton-show
  73. https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1364955/Jennifer-Saunders-children-daughters-Beattie-Freya-Ella-husband-Ade-Edmondson-evg
  74. https://www.theguardian.com/music/2008/apr/04/folk.shopping
  75. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14479011/Jennifer-Saunders-Adrian-Edmondsons-Absolutely-Fabulous-plans-2million-Dartmoor-mansion-garden-pavilion-pottery-workshop.html
  76. https://www.devonlive.com/news/devon-news/celebrity-couple-face-battle-develop-10413128
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  81. https://www.digitalspy.com/showbiz/a240114/jennifer-saunders-recovers-from-cancer/
  82. https://www.thetimes.com/culture/books/article/ade-edmondson-interview-family-wife-rik-mayall-young-ones-caitlin-moran-wm2dt0lxl
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