Merseyside Mirth Makers - Craig Charles

Craig Charles

Craig Joseph Charles was born in Liverpool on the 11th of July 1964 to a Guayanese father and an Irish mother with the family moving to the new Cantril Farm Estate in Huyton in 1968. He attended West Derby Comprehensive School and then Childwall Hall College of Further Education, where he studied for his History, Government and Politics, English Literature and General Studies 'A' levels. By 1975 Craig’s mum decided enough was enough of the bigotry and violence on the estate and moved the family back to the city centre, where by now the council had renovated the old Victorian houses, to buy one after his long-distance lorry driver dad had won £1800 on the horses.

His career began here at the age of 12 when he won the 'Guardian's Poetry Award', the runner up was thirty three years old! On leaving school Charles spent time working in a studio at Central Hall, Renshaw Street, Liverpool. His eloquence in conversation and in his poetry (which he shared with colleagues) was something new at the time. With his gradual flowering as a poet emerged a certain boldness and self-confidence. He began his career as a contemporary and urban performance poet on the British cabaret circuit. His performances were considered original, with Charles described as having a natural ironic wit which appealed to talent scouts. In 1981 he climbed on stage at a Teardrop Explodes concert and recited a humorous, but derogatory, poem about Julian Cope, the lead singer. Subsequently he was invited to open gigs for the group and went on to perform as a support act in pubs and clubs for the following three years. He performed poetry at Liverpool's Everyman Theatre with such poets as Roger McGoughs and Adrian Henri.

Later, Craig realised he was using poetry as a vehicle for his sense of humour and progressed into stand-up comedy. He was part of the 'Red Wedge' comedy tour in 1986, which aimed to raise awareness of the social problems of the time, in support of the Labour Party. He recalls "We used to have meetings at Red Wedge with Billy Bragg and Paul Weller. It was about trying to give Socialist musicians and artists a platform to express their work because it was all 'Thatcher's Britain' at the time. I was doing that Red Wedge comedy tour when Saturday Night Live started; Ben Elton, you know, "Ooh, a little bit of politics there". Fry and Laurie, and Harry Enfield and I became a regular on that; ‘Angry Young Man’ stuff."

As 'Dave Lister' in Red Dwarf

He also performed his first one-man show in 1986, which premiered in Edinburgh, and then toured internationally. He acquired cult status in 1988 in his first television acting role as the Liverpudlian slob Dave Lister in science fiction comedy series 'Red Dwarf' in which he has appeared in all twelve series. He also appeared in the TV Soap Coronation Street for 10 years as cheeky cab driver Lloyd Mullaney who with friend Simon Gregson ( Steve McDonald ) looked to establish an on screen comedy act. Their request, however, fell on 'deaf ears' and it was one of the reasons he left the show.
Throughout his career he has been involved in the music industry, whether it be as a band member or performing live DJ sets, including his own 'Craig Charles Fantasy Weekender', and has broadcast his radio show live from festival locations.
Returning to stand-up comedy between 1995 and 2001, touring his one-man adult-rated shows nationally, and releasing the videos, 'Craig Charles: Live on Earth!' (1995),  'Live Official Bootleg' (1996) and 'Sickbag' (2000). International performances include the Great Norwegian Comedy Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

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