Harry Enfield

Harry Enfield (born Henry Richard Enfield; 30 May 1961) is an English comedy actor and writer known in particular for his television work. His shows include Harry Enfield's Television Programme, Harry Enfield & Chums, and Harry & Paul, across which he created and portrayed characters such as Kevin the Teenager, Loadsamoney, Smashie and Nicey, The Scousers, and Tim Nice-But-Dim. He was born in Horsham, Sussex, the eldest of four children of journalist and presenter Edward Enfield, and was educated at the University of York, where he studied politics.

Enfield started his comedy career after being recruited at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival as a writer for the Radio 4 comedy programme Week Ending. In 1985, he took on a voice acting role in the satirical puppet show Spitting Image. He captured wider public attention on Channel 4's Saturday Live as characters created with Paul Whitehouse, including Stavros, a Greek kebab shop owner, and Loadsamoney, an obnoxious plasterer created in reaction to the policies of the Thatcher government. The Loadsamoney character spawned a hit single in 1988, and in May 1988 Labour leader Neil Kinnock used the term to criticise the Conservative government.

In 1990, Enfield developed his BBC sketch show Harry Enfield's Television Programme, later retitled Harry Enfield & Chums, with Whitehouse and Kathy Burke, creating a group of nationally recognised characters. He later signed with BSkyB for Harry Enfield's Brand Spanking New Show, and in 2002 returned to the BBC as ageing rockstar Gary Bloke in Celeb. He has also worked as a film director and producer.