Johnny Vegas

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

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

Vegas provided the voice for Asbo in the 2018 Aardman Animations film Early Man.

In April 2011, Vegas married Irish television presenter and producer Maia Dunphy in Seville. In January 2015, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child together. On 14 May 2018 Maia Dunphy confirmed that she and Johnny had separated in late 2017. The couple are believed to have reconciled in November 2018.

In May 2017, it was announced Vegas would be starring in new comedy feature Eaten by Lions opposite Antonio Aakeel and Jack Carroll, directed by Jason Wingard.

In August 2016, Vegas starred in a one-off comedy pilot called Home From Home, playing the lead role of Neil Hackett. Filmed at Skiddaw View Holiday Park, the episode aired on BBC Two on 30 August 2016. In December 2016 it was announced that Home From Home had been commissioned for a full series to air on BBC One in 2018.

In August 2015, he narrated the four-part series Travel Guides for ITV. In 2016, he took part in ITV's celebrity driving show Drive, hosted by Vernon Kay.

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

In August 2014, Vegas took part in ITV's two-part documentary series Secrets from the Clink. In May 2013, Vegas played the role of Lord Ratspeaker in a BBC radio adaptation of Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, adapted by Dirk Maggs.

In 2014, he directed a music video for Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott. That year he also published his autobiography.

In July 2014, Vegas was awarded an honorary doctorate from Edge Hill University.

Since 26 December 2013, Vegas has played Wet Eric Agnew in the revived BBC sitcom Still Open All Hours. Vegas has guest presented numerous episodes of Sunday Brunch for Channel 4.

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

Vegas said in 2012 that he had returned to his Catholic faith in the previous few years, crediting his parents' faith for his good upbringing.

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

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

Vegas fulfilled a lifetime ambition by appearing for St Helens in Keiron Cunningham's testimonial rugby league game, a friendly against Hull F.C. in 2005.

In 2003, Vegas played Jackie Symes in the film The Virgin of Liverpool, Alf Prince in the film Cheeky and Trevor in the film Blackball. In 2004, he played Dave in the film Sex Lives of the Potato Men and voiced Uncle Stewart in the film Terkel in Trouble. In 2013, Vegas was the voice of Abu the hamster in the British film The Harry Hill Movie.

In 2002, Vegas starred in the BBC Radio 4 sitcom Night Class, which he co-wrote with Tony Burgess and Tony Pitts, with Dirk Maggs as director. Vegas played a former Butlin's redcoat teaching evening classes in pottery. It was a runner-up for best comedy at the Sony Radio Academy Awards.

In August 2002, Vegas married Catherine "Kitty" Donnelly and sold pictures of the wedding to Viz magazine for a pound. The marriage ended in the run-up to Christmas 2006, after which they divorced.

His appearance was briefly shown during Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-Ups and BBC Three's Almost Famous 2. Vegas gained a wider audience as a regular member of Shooting Stars. His character was a pitiable sort always nursing a pint of Guinness. In 2001 he appeared on the Weakest Link, in a comedians special and beat Barry Cryer to win the jackpot of £10,200.

Vegas appeared in Joe Orton's The Erpingham Camp at the 2000 Edinburgh Festival. In 2001, Vegas starred as Al in adverts for ITV Digital with a puppet named Monkey (voiced by Ben Miller). In 2007, he reprised the role in adverts for PG Tips tea.

In 1996, Vegas made his television debut as a contestant on Win, Lose or Draw in the UK under his real name of Michael, but made references to the fact he wanted to be a comedian and that his stage name was "Johnny Vegas". He featured on The Big Breakfast during the programme's final months before it ended in March 2002.

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

Michael Joseph Pennington (born 5 September 1970), better known as Johnny Vegas, is an English comedian and actor. He is known for his portly figure, angry comedic rants, surreal humour, northern accent, and husky voice.

Vegas was born Michael Joseph Pennington on 5 September 1970 in the Thatto Heath area of St Helens, Lancashire, the youngest of four children of Lawrence and Patricia (née Jones) Pennington. He and his elder siblings Robert, Mark, and Catharine were brought up as Roman Catholics. At the age of 11, he attended St Joseph's College in Upholland, a Catholic boarding-school seminary, to train for the priesthood, but came back homesick after four terms.