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Mike Osman
Mike Osman
Mike Osman
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Mike Osman (born August 1959) is an English radio presenter, impressionist and entertainer.

He was born in Millbrook, Southampton, as the fourth of seven brothers. After leaving Millbrook Community Secondary School at 16, he was briefly an apprentice metal-worker before joining the Royal Navy as a marine engineer and mechanic.

He left the Navy in 1982 before joining the family roof tiling business. In his spare time, he started working in holiday camps and clubs as a semi-professional entertainer, before turning full-time in 1984.

Entertainment career

[edit]

In 1985, he joined ITV's Copy Cats as an impressionist, working alongside Gary Wilmot and Bobby Davro. Over the next few years he had roles in Gloria Hunniford's Sunday Sunday show, The Generation Game, Noel's House Party and Big Break, and also as a guest on Sky Sports. He also did summer tours with Jim Davidson and Russ Abbot.[1]

In the early 1990s, Osman became an after-dinner speaker. At a boxing function at the Hilton Hotel in Park Lane, London in 1996 he was invited by Capital Radio programme controller Richard Park to do a Saturday football, music and comedy show on Capital Gold, called Home and Away with Mike and the Dugout Crew. Within a few weeks, he was offered the 10 am to 1 pm weekday show. After 2 years at Capital Gold they replaced Tony Blackburn on the prime breakfast show.[2]

After six years, Osman quit the show in 2002 as the early morning starts were taking their toll on his health. Since then he has had a variety of short-term roles in television.

In 2005, he was one of the founding directors of Sound TV[3] which was on air for only 10 months.

In 2006-07, he was employed by Southampton Football Club to warm up the crowd before their matches at St Mary's Stadium. From then until summer 2009 he presented a Sunday morning show on BBC Radio Solent.[citation needed]

In 2021, he launched Great British Radio with Kevin King, a radio station featuring presenters such as Linda Lusardi.[4][5]

Personal life

[edit]

He is married to Jill and they have a daughter Katie.[6]

Discography

[edit]
  • Naughty But Nice, 2000

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mike Osman

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from Grokipedia
Mike Osman (born August 1959) is an English impressionist, radio presenter, and entertainer known for his comedic impressions and broadcasting career. Born in Millbrook, , as the fourth of seven children, Osman served in the British Royal Navy during the 1980s before transitioning to entertainment. His early television work included appearances on the ITV impressionist series Copy Cats (1986–1987). He has performed impressions of figures such as , , Prince Charles, and the Trotter Brothers from . Osman's radio career gained prominence when he joined Capital Gold in 1996 as host of the breakfast show (6am–10am), blending music, comedy, and topical content to build a peak audience of 1.7 million listeners. During this period, he received three New York World Radio Awards, the Promax Gold Award, and the CRCA Newcomer Award, establishing himself as a respected broadcaster. He later presented on stations including , Smooth Radio, and Great British Radio, often incorporating his impressionist skills into his programs. In live performance, Osman has become renowned for after-dinner , corporate , and awards hosting, with a repertoire of impressions featuring politicians like and —often using custom props such as a and ventriloquist for Trump. His Trump impersonation, under the stage name "Donald Trumped," has amassed over 16 million views as of 2025 and led to sell-out concert tours, including a major tour in 2025. Osman maintains strong ties to the Armed Forces, frequently performing at troop-related , and is praised for his auctioneering skills and audience engagement at high-profile gatherings, such as those endorsed by figures like Sir .

Early life

Family background

Mike Osman was born in August 1959 in Millbrook, a working-class suburb of , . He was the fourth of seven brothers. Raised in this industrial port city during the post-war era, Osman experienced the everyday dynamics of a large, close-knit working-class household, where community ties and modest means shaped daily life. After leaving , he briefly worked as an apprentice metal-worker. His childhood in Millbrook included attending the local Millbrook Community School, which he left in 1975 at age 16, reflecting the educational and economic realities of many families at the time. Southampton's vibrant local culture, including its strong football heritage—Osman became a lifelong supporter of —provided early influences that sparked his passion for performance and media, fostering an outgoing personality amid the city's energetic community spirit.

Military service

Mike Osman, raised in —a city closely associated with Britain's naval heritage—enlisted in the Royal Navy in the late 1970s. He served as a marine engineer, responsible for maintaining propulsion systems and mechanical equipment aboard ships during a five-year tenure that spanned the late 1970s and early . During his service, Osman gained valuable experience in high-stakes naval operations, contributing to the discipline and technical expertise that characterized his role in the . These years honed his adaptability and teamwork under pressure, skills that later informed his entertainment career. Post-service, Osman has maintained deep ties to the Armed Forces, serving as Vice-President of the British Forces Foundation (BFF), a charity supporting serving and former through morale-boosting events and welfare initiatives. In this capacity, he has participated in numerous performances for troops, including a 2012 entertainment show aboard HMS Dauntless upon its return from a seven-month deployment, where he joined fellow entertainers to deliver and uplift the crew after their 30,000-mile voyage. His ongoing involvement underscores a commitment to military charities, often appearing at special events to honor and entertain service members.

Radio career

Early broadcasting roles

After leaving the Royal Navy in 1982, where he served as a marine engineer, Mike Osman briefly worked in his family's roof tiling business in before transitioning to full-time entertainment in 1984, initially through semi-professional performances at holiday camps and clubs that honed his impressionist skills. His entry into began with work for radio and television commercials, including a three-year stint as the voice for Land of Leather and Carpet Right advertisements, which allowed him to develop his vocal versatility and comedic timing in a context. Osman's first on-air radio appearance came in 1990 as a regular contributor to the BBC Radio 2 series Digance Does It... Sportingly, a humorous program hosted by alongside , where he provided comic impressions and commentary on sports and pastimes across eight episodes aired from February to March. This role marked his initial foray into structured radio presenting, building foundational skills in live delivery and audience engagement through humor and character voices, elements that would define his later persona. The discipline gained from his naval service contributed to his punctuality and resilience in these early broadcasting efforts, enabling him to adapt quickly to the demands of recording sessions and live spots. By the mid-1990s, these experiences had solidified his reputation as a versatile performer, setting the stage for more prominent commercial radio opportunities while emphasizing his blend of music, topical , and in shorter formats.

Capital Gold era

Mike Osman joined Capital Gold in 1996 as the presenter of the network's flagship breakfast show, succeeding , airing from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. across the . During his six-year tenure on the breakfast program, Osman significantly expanded the show's reach, growing its weekly listenership to 1.7 million by blending with his signature comedic style. This growth underscored his appeal in the competitive commercial radio market, where he reportedly earned £400,000 annually by 2002. Osman's on-air segments featured topical humor, celebrity interviews, and live impressions of figures like , which became a hallmark of the show and differentiated it from traditional music-driven formats. He engaged with high-profile guests, including Status Quo members and , fostering an entertaining atmosphere that boosted listener engagement during morning commutes. His innovative approach to breakfast radio, emphasizing entertainment and personality over straight playlist rotation, contributed to Capital Gold's strengthened position in the UK oldies genre. The show's success was recognized with multiple accolades, including three New York World Radio Awards, the Promax Gold Award for promotional excellence, and the CRCA Newcomer Award early in his run. Osman's tenure elevated Capital Gold's breakfast slot as a key driver of national listenership, influencing subsequent formats by demonstrating the viability of impressionist-led content in . He departed in 2002, citing the demands of early starts, paving the way for Mick Brown to take over amid the station's ongoing relaunch efforts.

Recent radio ventures

After his departure from Capital Gold, Osman returned to radio in July 2008, co-presenting a national show with on Smooth FM until July 2009. From then until summer 2009, he presented a Sunday morning show on . In the , Mike Osman shifted focus toward digital and independent radio formats amid evolving industry dynamics. His most notable recent venture was the launch of Great British Radio in March 2021, an online station he co-founded and served as CEO, emphasizing a blend of music, sketches, and speech content tailored for streaming audiences. The platform, backed by entrepreneur , aimed to deliver with a "laugh every 10 minutes" promise, featuring Osman's impressions and hosting duties on the weekday breakfast show to adapt his established style to internet-based delivery. Great British Radio operated from studios in and , offering on-demand access via apps and websites, which reflected broader trends in radio toward digital accessibility and reduced reliance on terrestrial signals. Osman hosted key segments, incorporating his comedic to engage listeners in a post-commercial radio landscape, though specific listener metrics were not publicly detailed. The station expanded briefly to include specialized programming like hours but faced financial challenges common to startup broadcasters. By December 2023, Great British Radio ceased operations after Osman, in consultation with shareholders, determined it unsustainable, marking the end of this independent project. As of 2025, Osman has not launched new radio stations but maintains visibility through occasional guest appearances on local networks, such as a live segment on in October 2024, where he discussed his career and impressions. No major awards or expansions from this era have been reported, with his efforts now prioritizing live entertainment over sustained radio hosting.

Entertainment career

Impressionist performances

Mike Osman has established himself as a prominent impressionist through live performances at corporate events, after-dinner functions, and awards ceremonies, beginning in the early . His repertoire developed alongside his early radio work, where impressions provided initial exposure, but he quickly transitioned to standalone stage and event appearances that showcased his comedic timing and vocal . Over the decades, Osman has honed a diverse range of impressions, including politicians like and , celebrities such as and , and sports figures like , earning acclaim for blending humor with precise characterizations. A pivotal addition to his act came in 2016 with the development of his impression, launched just before the U.S. , featuring a custom , exaggerated mannerisms, and spot-on vocal delivery that has become his signature. This portrayal quickly gained traction at high-profile events, including sell-out tours and appearances at venues like hotel, where his interactive style engages audiences in laughter-filled tributes and satirical commentary. Osman's Trump routine has since dominated his bookings, with demand surging by 30-40% following the 2024 U.S. election, leading to a booked-out schedule through 2025, including an extensive tour featuring performances in June and September 2025. Osman has stated plans to retire at the conclusion of Trump's second term in 2029, crediting the character for extending his career. Osman's live work emphasizes versatility, often hosting awards ceremonies with impression-infused announcements or closing dinners with crowd-pleasing medleys, such as his tribute to comedian Jethro performed at theaters like Pavilion. His performances at corporate gatherings, including those for organizations like KidsOut where he has raised significant funds through auctioneering skits, highlight his reputation as a professional entertainer capable of tailoring acts to diverse audiences. Widely regarded as one of the UK's leading impressionists, Osman's event-based career underscores his enduring appeal in the after-dinner entertainment circuit.

Television appearances

Mike Osman's television career began with a prominent role as an impressionist on the ITV sketch comedy series Copy Cats, which aired from 1985 to 1987. In the show, produced by , he performed alongside fellow impressionists such as , , and Allan Stewart, contributing to sketches that parodied celebrities and public figures through mimicry and humor. His participation in Copy Cats marked one of his earliest major breaks in broadcast television, showcasing the impressionist skills he had developed in live performances. Throughout the 1990s and , Osman made several guest appearances on popular British programs, often leveraging his impressionist talents. He featured as a guest star on BBC's in episodes from 1993, 1999, and 2000, where he participated in games and provided comic relief through impressions. Similarly, he appeared on in 1993 across multiple episodes, contributing to the show's chaotic mix of games, pranks, and celebrity sketches. On ITV's in 1999, Osman served as a guest, aligning with the program's lighthearted snooker-themed . In 2004, he guested on , engaging in chat and impressions during the daytime talk show hosted by and . Osman continued making television appearances into the 2010s, frequently portraying political figures through impressions. In 2017, he performed his impression on ITV's This Morning, participating in a segment that pitted him against another ahead of the U.S. presidential . That same year, he reprised the Trump role on Tonight at the London Palladium (Series 4, Episode 3), entertaining audiences with satirical sketches. He also contributed additional material as a writer for The Nightly Show (Series 1, Episodes 26–30). In addition to on-screen roles, Osman provided voice work for television commercials during the 2000s and 2010s, notably voicing ads for retailers Land of Leather and Carpetright, which helped extend his impressionist reach into advertising. These television outings significantly boosted Osman's visibility beyond radio and stage, allowing his impressions—honed through live and audio work—to reach broader audiences via prime-time and daytime broadcasts, solidifying his reputation as a versatile entertainer.

Personal life

Osman is married to Jill, whom he met while at school. He resides in .

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0962344/
  2. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0283179/
  3. https://performingartistes.co.uk/artistes/mike-osman
  4. https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/mike-osman/id1578268705?i=1000675137208
  5. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c203xxd0ggxo
  6. https://donaldtrumped.tv/
  7. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0962344/bio/
  8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG8vy7ebDZA
  9. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/2392383.tvs-fiona-goes-back-to-school/
  10. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/9674742.no-divided-loyalties-for-mike-osman/
  11. https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mike-osman-61a37ba
  12. https://bff.org.uk/about-us/team
  13. https://bff.org.uk/news/show-onboard-hms-dauntless
  14. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/10015456.hundreds-welcome-home-hms-dauntless-to-hampshire/
  15. https://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/4416101
  16. https://ustreme.news/meet-the-artists/mike-osman/
  17. https://genome.ch.bbc.co.uk/schedules/service_bbc_radio_two/1990-02-14
  18. https://epguides.com/DiganceDoesItSportingly/
  19. https://www.uknewsgroup.co.uk/ex-capital-gold-dj-mike-osman-to-launch-new-dab-station-backed-by-charlie-mullins/
  20. https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/book-lists-10-highest-paid-djs/167159
  21. http://www.quogigography.net/121.html
  22. https://www.theguardian.com/media/2003/feb/12/radio
  23. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/19192524.great-british-radio-brainchild-funnyman-mike-osman/
  24. https://seymour-uk.com/thetwomikes/The_Two_Mikes/Parry_&_Osman.html
  25. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/4419332.after-three-years-nick-returns-to-radio-solent/
  26. https://radiotoday.co.uk/2021/03/great-british-radio-gets-ready-for-online-launch/
  27. https://www.mylondon.news/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/comedian-mike-osman-launches-new-23560666
  28. https://radiotoday.co.uk/2023/12/great-british-radio-to-cease-trading-and-stop-broadcasting-imminently/
  29. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0jpmbb4
  30. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yxzrlge59o
  31. https://jerseyeveningpost.com/morenews/entertainment/2025/01/22/uk-trump-impersonator-to-retire-after-presidents-second-term-as-business-booms/
  32. https://www.facebook.com/MikeOsmanImpressionist/
  33. https://www.seymourhotels.com/merton-hotel/entertainment/mike-osmans-trumped/
  34. https://comicus.co.uk/hire-talent/mike-osman/
  35. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21413488/
  36. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32029351/
  37. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32037686/
  38. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt13012256/
  39. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0262945/fullcredits/
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0725510/
  41. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ft_8Qpc-Yuo
  42. https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/tonight_at_the_london_palladium/episodes/4/3/
  43. https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_nightly_show/episodes/1/31/
  44. https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/leisure/stage/15693810.comic-mike-osman-set-to-play-trump-card/
  45. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jan/22/british-trump-impersonator-mike-osman-southampton
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