Jack Dee is an actor, comedian and writer who has won world wide acclaim for his stand up comedy routines. Having forged a highly successful comedic reputation during the 1990s based on the sardonic, deadpan style of his stand up routine, Jack Dee shot to even greater fame in 2001 after he won the very first series of Celebrity Big Brother.
- Photo: David Johnson
Born on 24 September 1962 in Petts Wood, Kent, Jack Dee was raised in Winchester after his family moved there when he was a young child. Although originally intending to attend drama school, Jack started his career in catering after his mum persuaded him to pursue a more stable career. He also tried but failed to enter the priesthood in the 1990s.
Jack’s comedy career began with an open mike spot at the Comedy Store in 1986. His talent was spotted early on by fellow comedians who encouraged him to continue to work on his act and start touring.
Jack Dee’s first big break came when he won the prestigious British Comedy Award for Best Stage Newcomer in 1991. This award led to his own show on Channel 4, The Jack Dee Show, which was first aired in 1992 and ran for two series. The show was critically acclaimed and resulted in a move to ITV where Jack hosted Jack Dee’s Saturday Night in 1995 and Jack Dee’s Sunday Service in 1997.
In 2000, Jack moved to the BBC where he presented two series of Jack Dee’s Happy Hour and hosted his BAFTA nominated show Jack Dee Live at the Apollo in 2004. Jack Dee Live at the Apollo was a runaway hit and a second series aired in 2005.
In 2006, Jack Dee co-wrote Lead Balloon, a semi-biographical sitcom which follows the trials and tribulations of Rick Spleen a disillusioned comedian and writer. The third series of Lead Balloons started on BBC 2 in November 2008.
