Hubbry Logo
Kevin BishopKevin BishopMain
Open search
Kevin Bishop
Community hub
Kevin Bishop
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Kevin Bishop
Kevin Bishop
Kevin Bishop
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Kevin Brian Bishop[1] (born 1980)[2][3] is a British actor, comedian and writer. He is best known for his roles as Jim Hawkins in Muppet Treasure Island, Stupid Brian in My Family, and Nigel Norman Fletcher in the 2016 revival of Porridge, and as star of The Kevin Bishop Show, which he co-wrote with Lee Hupfield.

Key Information

Life and career

[edit]

Bishop's first role was in Grange Hill. His second role, at age 16, was as Ben Quayle in Silent Witness. He played Stupid Brian in three episodes of My Family. He starred in Muppet Treasure Island as Jim Hawkins.[4]

In 2002, Bishop had a supporting role alongside Kelly Reilly and Romain Duris as William, the brother of an English Erasmus student, in the French comedy L'Auberge espagnole (The Spanish Apartment). Following its box office success,[5] he appeared in the 2005 sequel, Les Poupées russes (Russian Dolls).[6] In 2005, he portrayed the late comedian Dudley Moore onstage in Pete and Dud: Come Again, a drama charting Moore's turbulent relationship with Peter Cook, which debuted at the Assembly Rooms as part of the Edinburgh Fringe before transferring to The Venue in London's West End in March 2006. In August 2007 he appeared as the title character in Channel 4's satirical spoof documentary "Being Tom Cruise", a spin-off of Star Stories. In September 2014, Bishop appeared in the one-man show Fully Committed at the Menier Chocolate Factory, in which he played forty characters.

In 2013, Bishop appeared in the American comedy series Super Fun Night, written by and starring Australian comedic actress Rebel Wilson. The show ran for one season.

In August 2016, Bishop starred in the revival of classic 1970s BBC sitcom Porridge. He played the role of Fletch, grandson of Ronnie Barker's original main character, locked up for cyber-crime.[7][8] Originally a one-off, the show was commissioned to full series in October 2016. The first series was broadcast in October 2017 on a 6-week run on BBC One as well as the full series being released at the same time on BBC iPlayer.

In 2016, Bishop played Nigel Farage in a one-off BBC Two comedy series entitled Nigel Farage Gets His Life Back.[9]

In 2017, Bishop became the speaking voice for 2-D, fictional lead singer of British virtual band Gorillaz.[10]

Selected filmography

[edit]
Year Film Role Notes
1996 Muppet Treasure Island Jim Hawkins Also played the role of a boy soprano in musical numbers
1997 Silent Witness Ben Quayle Series 2, "Friends Like These"
Pie in the Sky, Series 5, "The Apprentice" Nicky Banks
2000 The Big Finish Kevin
2001 My Family (TV) "Stupid" Brian
2002 L'Auberge espagnole William
Food of Love Paul Porterfield
2005 Peep Show (TV) Ollie
Russian Dolls William
2006–2008 Star Stories Various
2007 Irina Palm Tom
2008–2009 The Kevin Bishop Show (TV) Himself
2011 A Few Best Men Graham
2012 May I Kill U? Baz
Keith Lemon: The Film Dougie
2013–2014 Super Fun Night (TV) Richard Royce
2015 We’re Doomed! The Dads Army Story James Beck (TV film)
2016 Benidorm Peter Andre tribute act Series 8 Episode 7
The Rack Pack Barry Hearn
Nigel Farage Gets His Life Back Nigel Farage
2016–2017 Porridge Nigel Norman Fletcher August 2016 one-off special episode: 2017 Series 1, 6 episodes
2017 Tracey Ullman's Show Various Series 2, 6 episodes
2017 Detectorists Kelvin Series 3, episode 3
2020 Song Machine 2-D (Web series)
2021 Inside No. 9 Arlo Episode: "Wuthering Heist"
2022 Strike Wally Cardew Series 6, 4 episodes

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1997 Saturn Awards Best Performance by a Younger Actor Muppet Treasure Island Nominated
Young Artist Awards Best Performance in a Feature Film: Leading Young Actor Nominated
2006 British Comedy Awards[11] Best Male Comedy Newcomer Star Stories Nominated
2007 British Comedy Awards Best TV Comedy Actor Nominated
2008 British Academy Television Awards Best Comedy Programme (shared with Lee Hupfield, Elliot Hegarty, and Philip Clarke) Nominated
2009 British Comedy Awards Best Sketch Show The Kevin Bishop Show Nominated
2010 British Academy Television Awards Best Comedy Programme (shared with Lee Hupfield, Dominic Brigstocke, and Samantha Martin) Nominated

References

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

Kevin Bishop

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Kevin Brian Bishop (born 18 June 1980) is a British , , and . He rose to prominence as a playing Jim Hawkins in the 1996 , which earned him nominations at the Young Artist Awards and . Bishop later gained recognition for television roles such as Stupid Brian in the sitcom and for creating and starring in the series (2008–2009), which led to British Comedy Award nominations for Best Sketch Show and Best TV Comedy Actor. Since 2017, he has provided the speaking voice for the character 2-D, the lead singer of the virtual band . In recent years, Bishop has discussed overcoming , which contributed to his separation from his wife of over two decades in 2025.

Early Life

Birth and Upbringing

Kevin Brian Bishop was born on 18 June 1980 in Bromley, . Bishop spent his early years in Bromley, a suburban area in southeast , where he experienced a relatively unremarkable childhood away from the public eye. Public information on his family background, including parental occupations or siblings, is scarce, with no verified details emerging from biographical accounts. Prior to his professional debut in acting, Bishop's upbringing centered on local life in Bromley, then administratively part of following boundary changes, though historically tied to . This period laid the groundwork for his later entry into entertainment, though specific educational institutions or formative influences beyond the regional environment are not documented in available sources.

Initial Entry into Entertainment

Bishop made his professional acting debut in 1994 at age 14, portraying the rebellious pupil Sam Spalding in the BBC children's drama series Grange Hill. The role spanned 20 episodes across the 1994–1995 series, introducing him to on-set discipline amid storylines involving schoolyard antics and teenage defiance. Grange Hill, which aired from 1978 to 2008, focused on the everyday challenges faced by inner-city schoolchildren, providing Bishop with his initial exposure to scripted television performance. His time on the show ended prematurely when producers dismissed him for persistent misbehavior, including disruptive conduct that clashed with production expectations. This incident, occurring midway through his second series, highlighted early challenges in adapting to professional demands but did not derail his nascent career. Undeterred, Bishop secured a follow-up television appearance at age 16 as the streetwise in an episode of the forensic crime series . This progression underscored his persistence in pursuing acting opportunities post-.

Career

Child and Adolescent Roles

Bishop began his acting career as a child with a role in the BBC children's drama series , debuting in 1994 at age 14 as Sam Spalding, a new pupil at the fictional school. His tenure on the show was brief, as he was dismissed from the production early in his stint, an experience he later described in interviews as a formative setback. In 1996, at age 16, Bishop achieved a significant breakthrough by starring as the adventurous protagonist Jim Hawkins in the film , a puppet-assisted adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's novel directed by . The role, which involved performing alongside Muppet characters including as Captain Smollett, exposed him to a wider audience and highlighted his youthful energy and comedic timing in a family-oriented production. Bishop's early adolescent television work continued in 1997, when he appeared at age 17 as , a streetwise teenager implicated in a investigation, across two episodes ("Friends Like These, Part 1" and "Part 2") of the forensic crime series . This guest role marked his second credited TV appearance and demonstrated his versatility in dramatic contexts beyond sketches or light adventure.

Comedy Development and Television Success

Bishop's entry into sketch comedy came through his contributions to Star Stories, a Channel 4 series parodying celebrities, where he portrayed various figures across its 2006–2008 run, marking a pivotal shift from dramatic acting to comedic performance. This involvement highlighted his versatility in impersonations and rapid-fire humor, earning him a nomination for Best TV Comedy Actor at the 2007 British Comedy Awards. Building on this, Bishop developed a pilot for Comedy Showcase: Kevin Bishop in 2007, which Channel 4 commissioned into the full series The Kevin Bishop Show, debuting in 2008 with a second series airing from , 2009. The program, which he co-wrote and starred in, featured approximately 350 sketches per series structured around an unseen viewer channel-surfing through television genres, including satires of crime dramas, reality shows, and celebrity spoofs such as and . This format allowed for concise, threadless humor targeting pop culture, distinguishing it in a saturated market by emphasizing pace and breadth over sustained narratives. The series achieved critical notice through multiple award nominations, including Best New Comedy at the 2008 British Comedy Awards, Best Sketch Show in 2009, and BAFTA Television Awards for Best Comedy Programme in 2008 and Best Comedy Series in 2010, underscoring its role in establishing as a prominent sketch comedian. Despite challenges like content debates during production—such as rejecting sketches involving sensitive topics—the show's success affirmed Bishop's preference for sketch 's flexibility, enabling broad satirical commentary without overarching constraints.

Mature Roles and Recent Projects

In the mid-2000s, Bishop shifted toward more adult-oriented roles, blending comedy with dramatic elements. His performance as Tom in the 2007 film marked a notable departure into serious , where he depicted a grieving father coping with his son's amid financial desperation. This role contrasted his earlier comedic work and demonstrated his range beyond juvenile characters. Bishop's comedy career matured through his self-titled sketch series The Kevin Bishop Show, which aired two seasons on Channel 4 from October 2008 to July 2009, featuring satirical impressions of celebrities like David Beckham and original sketches that earned a British Comedy Awards nomination for Best New Comedy. He followed with supporting parts in films such as A Few Best Men (2011), playing the chaotic Graham Vincent at a wedding gone awry, and May I Kill U? (2012), a mockumentary satire on vigilante justice. In 2016, he portrayed Nigel Norman Fletcher, the grandson of the original series' lead, in the BBC Three revival of the prison sitcom Porridge, which ran for one series of six episodes. That year, he also appeared in David Brent: Life on the Road as a band member in Ricky Gervais's mock-rockumentary. Recent projects have included guest spots in anthology series and crime dramas. Bishop featured in multiple episodes of , including series 6 (2018) and series 9 episode "Plodding On" (2024), often in darkly comedic roles. In 2023, he played Ben in the comedy film , a heist story centered on estate life. The following year, he guest-starred as Brian in Beyond Paradise season 2, episode 2, a spin-off involving a fishing-related mystery. Also in 2024, Bishop portrayed Wally Cardew, an alt-right voice actor, across two episodes of C.B. Strike (""), adapting J.K. Rowling's novels. His most recent role, announced for 2025, is Paul in episode 3 of How Are You? It's , a continuation of the satire.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Kevin Bishop married Casta in 2006. The couple had two daughters together. Bishop and Casta separated in early 2025, after approximately 19 years of . The split occurred shortly following Bishop's decision to achieve sobriety from , with Bishop describing Casta as a former "drinking buddy" whose continued drinking habits contributed to their incompatibility post-recovery. They continue to co-parent their daughters.

Alcoholism and Recovery

Bishop struggled with for many years, which he later described as a pervasive influence on his personal and professional life. In a February 2025 podcast interview, he detailed how alcohol fueled self-destructive patterns, culminating in a that served as a pivotal "gift" reinforcing his resolve for . He achieved initial around 2019 but experienced a subsequent before recommitting fully, maintaining thereafter. Bishop attributes his recovery to participation in a 12-step program, which he credits with providing a structured path out of . In October 2024 social media reflections, he emphasized the program's role in addressing underlying issues, stating that a solution exists for those struggling and that he found it through this framework. By March 2025, he reported six years of continuous , marking a significant personal milestone amid ongoing career commitments. The pursuit of recovery strained his long-term marriage to Casta, whom he characterized as a close "drinking buddy" with whom alcohol had been a shared element of their relationship. Their separation, announced in March 2025 after nearly two decades together, was partly attributed to the irreconcilable changes sobriety introduced, including divergent lifestyles post-abstinence. Despite the personal costs, Bishop has framed recovery as transformative, enabling clearer focus on fatherhood to his two daughters and professional endeavors.

Public Reception and Controversies

Critical and Audience Responses

Bishop's sketch comedy series The Kevin Bishop Show (2008–2009) garnered mixed feedback, with an IMDb user rating of 6.6 out of 10 based on 425 reviews, where some viewers praised its fast-paced impressions and variety while others found it inconsistent. Critics were more dismissive, with reviews highlighting overreliance on and shock value rather than sustained wit; one assessment described it as "not very good, basically," amid sketches padded with crude punchlines. viewership remained modest, peaking at 1.8 million for its second-series before declining to 1.4 million, often outperformed by repeats of shows like . The 2016 BBC remake of Porridge, starring Bishop as Nigel Fletcher, provoked divided viewer reactions, with and forums reflecting split opinions on its modernization of the original sitcom's formula. Some audiences appreciated Bishop's portrayal for injecting fresh energy into the lead role, calling it a "good job" in capturing the character's essence. Critics, however, faulted the series for failing to match the original's depth, deeming it an "irrelevance" that added little beyond superficial updates. Low ratings led to its cancellation after one six-episode series in 2018. Bishop's stage work has elicited stronger positive responses in some quarters. His 2014 solo performance in Fully Committed at the earned praise for his "perfect comic timing" and ability to embody multiple characters, with audiences reportedly thrilled and critics noting its laugh-driven appeal despite limited depth. Earlier profiles highlighted his impressionistic skills as a consistent strength, though broader television success has been hampered by perceptions of uneven material. Overall, Bishop's reception underscores niche appreciation for his versatility in impressions and live settings, contrasted with challenges in sustaining critical acclaim for scripted comedy formats.

Instances of Backlash and Political Commentary

In August 2016, Bishop expressed concerns about political correctness stifling comedy, stating it created a "tough climate" for performers attempting to satirize public figures or sensitive topics, as audiences and broadcasters increasingly restricted edgy content. He specifically argued that such norms were "killing edgy comedy," limiting comedians' ability to "take the mickey out of anyone." By October 2017, Bishop offered a more measured view, affirming that "there's nothing wrong with political correctness" while preferring transparency about performers' personal opinions to avoid surprises for audiences. Bishop has acknowledged the provocative nature of his humor. During an August 2009 appearance on , he described his comedic style as inherently offensive to some, noting, "I naturally have a sense of which will offend," but dismissed concerns about backlash, emphasizing authenticity over universal approval. One notable instance of backlash occurred in July 2009 at the , where Bishop's show failed to win the best comedy award. He publicly blamed organizers for "plying [contestants] with crisps and booze," which drew criticism from tabloid outlets accusing him of poor sportsmanship and sour grapes over the loss.

Recognition

Awards and Nominations

Bishop's early film role earned him two nominations in 1997: for Best Performance in a - Leading Young Actor at the Young Artist Awards and for Best Performance by a Younger Actor at the , both for portraying Jim Hawkins in . In , he received a nomination for Best TV Comedy Actor at the 2007 British Comedy Awards for . The same series led to a shared nomination for Best Comedy Programme at the 2008 British Academy Television Awards. For The Kevin Bishop Show, he garnered a nomination for Best Sketch Show at the 2009 British Comedy Awards and a shared nomination for Best Comedy Programme or Series at the 2010 British Academy Television Awards.

Notable Achievements

Bishop first achieved prominence as a with his lead role as Jim Hawkins in the 1996 film , a production that marked his debut and showcased his ability to perform alongside Muppet characters created by Jim Henson's company. This performance earned him a nomination for Best Performance in a - Leading Young Actor at the 17th Youth In Film Awards (now known as the Young Artist Awards) in 1997, as well as a nomination for Best Performance by a Younger Actor at the 23rd the same year. In his transition to adult comedy, Bishop co-wrote and starred in the sketch series , which premiered on October 17, 2008, and ran for two seasons totaling 12 episodes, demonstrating his versatility in impression-based humor and original sketches. The series featured celebrity impersonations and satirical content, contributing to Bishop's reputation as a multifaceted performer capable of sustaining a self-titled program on a major British network. Bishop also played a key role in the parody series , where his impersonations helped secure the program the British Comedy Award for Best New British TV Comedy on December 5, 2006. His individual contributions in the series led to a personal nomination for Best TV Comedy Actor at the British Comedy Awards in 2007, highlighting his skill in comedic character work. Later, he took on the recurring role of Nigel Fletcher in the 2016 revival of the classic Porridge, reviving a character from the original 1974-1977 series and extending its legacy to a new generation of viewers.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0084107/
  2. https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/kevin-bishop/bio/3030251882/
  3. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0084107/awards/
  4. https://www.instagram.com/iamkevbish/
  5. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tv/33822008/kevin-bishop-split-wife-beating-alcoholism/
  6. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0084107/bio/
  7. https://www.kentlive.news/news/celebs-tv/kevin-bishops-quiet-life-bromley-7891662
  8. https://www.nndb.com/people/036/000161550/
  9. https://www.geni.com/people/Kevin-Bishop/6000000176107739857
  10. https://cultbox.co.uk/news/when-kevin-bishop-was-sacked-from-grange-hill
  11. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075512/fullcredits/
  12. https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/kevin-bishop-interview-a-few-best-men-grange-hill-the-muppets/
  13. https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/showbiz-tv/bbc-beyond-paradises-kevin-bishop-28907478
  14. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0700577/
  15. https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/kevin_bishop/
  16. https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/features/kevin-bishop-perfect-comic-timing-1756547.html
  17. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/kevin-bishop
  18. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1267289/
  19. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1640711/
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28253628/
  21. https://www.nationalworld.com/culture/celebrity/comedian-kevin-bishop-splits-from-wife-after-19-years-after-beating-alcoholism-5031434
  22. https://www.chortle.co.uk/other-news/2025/03/13/57672/kevin_bishop%253A_im_an_alcoholic
  23. https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/kevin-bishop-splits-wife-after-34850627
  24. https://www.express.co.uk/showbiz/tv-radio/2026492/comedian-kevin-bishop-splits-wife
  25. https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/entertainment/comedian-kevin-bishop-splits-wife-34850917
  26. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHPy6aQzJVY
  27. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBhFAtzocbQ/?hl=en
  28. http://broken-tv.blogspot.com/2009/08/kevin-bishop-show-comprehensive-review.html
  29. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/aug/03/kevin-bishop-tv-ratings
  30. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/aug/10/the-kevin-bishop-show-qi
  31. https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/television/tv-news/kevin-bishops-porridge-revival-divides-viewers/36204586.html
  32. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5995130/reviews/
  33. https://cultbox.co.uk/reviews/episodes/porridge-2016-remake-review
  34. https://www.thesun.co.uk/tvandshowbiz/5637293/bbc-axes-porridge-poor-ratings-kevin-bishop/
  35. https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2014/sep/12/fully-committed-review-kevin-bishop-menier-chocolate-factory
  36. https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a805827/kevin-bishop-says-its-a-tough-climate-for-comediansbecause-of-political-correctness/
  37. https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/political-correctness-is-killing-comedy-kevin-bishop-116082900055_1.html
  38. https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/television-kevin-bishop-porridge-sitcom-709w9gw0r
  39. https://www.skysports.com/more-sports/news/5492433/does-it-offend-you-yeah
  40. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8140521.stm
  41. https://www.tvinsider.com/people/kevin-bishop/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.