Smug Roberts
Encyclopedia
Andy Robert Wilkinson better known by his stage name
Smug Roberts, is an English stand up comedian and actor. Born in Harpurhey
, Wilkinson attended North Manchester High for Boys before taking various jobs such as a relief pub landlord and the coach of a football team in Toronto
. He also ran a signwriting business for a time.
In 1995, he tried stand-up comedy for the first time at The Frog And Bucket comedy club, adopting the stage name "Smug Roberts"; the "smug" came from an event in his life where people teased him for being a "smug bastard" and the "Roberts" was adapted from his middle name. Caroline Aherne
and her then-husband Peter Hook
watched his set and she put him in contact with an agent
. Six weeks later, Roberts performed his first one-man gig. In 1998, he released the novelty anthem "Meat Pie, Sausage Roll (Come on England, Gi's a Goal)" as "Grandad Roberts", both the character and song (originally a jingle
referencing Oldham Athletic Football Club
rather than England) stemming from his afternoon radio show on Key 103
. At the end of 1999, he compered the re-opened Embassy Club, on the invitation of Bernard Manning
's son Bernard Jr. On his appointment, City Life
comedy editor Marissa Burgess said, "I personally don't hold with Bernard Manning's comedy, so changing hands to Smug Roberts I feel can only be a good thing."
In 2000, he headlined with Paul Merton
and John Thomson at the opening night of the Manchester Comedy Store. His appearance there lead to a role in the film 24 Hour Party People
(2002). Roberts has also appeared on television, with roles in Cutting It
, Buried
and Cold Feet
. He has appeared in every television production by Peter Kay
, except for Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere
. His latest role is the angry husband in Britain's Got the Pop Factor, broadcast in October 2008.
In 2008, he became the first stand-up comedian to perform at the Erin Arts Centre on the Isle of Man
. A local critic praised his style of anecdotal humour.
Smug will be touring with his one man show "Flip" in late 2011-2012
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
Smug Roberts, is an English stand up comedian and actor. Born in Harpurhey
Harpurhey
-Landmarks:Harpurhey Edwardian Swimming Baths, situated on Rochdale Road was built between 1909-10 by Henry Price, Manchester's first City Architect. Listed grade II in, the baths were closed to the public in 2001 after serious defects were discovered and the entrance building is currently being...
, Wilkinson attended North Manchester High for Boys before taking various jobs such as a relief pub landlord and the coach of a football team in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. He also ran a signwriting business for a time.
In 1995, he tried stand-up comedy for the first time at The Frog And Bucket comedy club, adopting the stage name "Smug Roberts"; the "smug" came from an event in his life where people teased him for being a "smug bastard" and the "Roberts" was adapted from his middle name. Caroline Aherne
Caroline Aherne
Caroline Mary Aherne is an English comedian and BAFTA winning writer and actress, best known for Mrs Merton and The Royle Family.- Background :...
and her then-husband Peter Hook
Peter Hook
Peter Hook is an English bass player, musician and author.He was a co-founder of the post-punk band Joy Division along with Bernard Sumner in the mid-1970s. Following the death of lead singer Ian Curtis, the band reformed as New Order, and Hook played bass with them throughout their career until...
watched his set and she put him in contact with an agent
Talent agent
A talent agent, or booking agent, is a person who finds jobs for actors, authors, film directors, musicians, models, producers, professional athletes, writers and other people in various entertainment businesses. Having an agent is not required, but does help the artist in getting jobs...
. Six weeks later, Roberts performed his first one-man gig. In 1998, he released the novelty anthem "Meat Pie, Sausage Roll (Come on England, Gi's a Goal)" as "Grandad Roberts", both the character and song (originally a jingle
Jingle
A jingle is a short tune used in advertising and for other commercial uses. The jingle contains one or more hooks and lyrics that explicitly promote the product being advertised, usually through the use of one or more advertising slogans. Ad buyers use jingles in radio and television...
referencing Oldham Athletic Football Club
Oldham Athletic A.F.C.
Oldham Athletic Association Football Club is an English association football club based at Boundary Park, on Sheepfoot Lane in Oldham, Greater Manchester. The club currently competes in the Football League One, the third tier of the English league...
rather than England) stemming from his afternoon radio show on Key 103
Key 103
Key 103 is an Independent Local Radio station broadcasting to the city of Manchester and the north west of England. Its output is principally contemporary pop and dance music. Formerly owned by Trans World Communications, EMAP and now by Bauer Radio, Key 103 is part of Bauer's Place Network of...
. At the end of 1999, he compered the re-opened Embassy Club, on the invitation of Bernard Manning
Bernard Manning
Bernard John Manning was an English comedian and nightclub owner. He was born and raised in Manchester in northwest England....
's son Bernard Jr. On his appointment, City Life
City Life (Magazine)
City Life was a Manchester-based listings magazine that was published between December 1983 and December 2005. It was a distinctive blend of radical politics and coverage of the increasingly exciting Manchester youth culture scene of the early 1980s, coinciding with the rise of Factory Records and...
comedy editor Marissa Burgess said, "I personally don't hold with Bernard Manning's comedy, so changing hands to Smug Roberts I feel can only be a good thing."
In 2000, he headlined with Paul Merton
Paul Merton
Paul Merton is a British comedian, writer, actor and television presenter. Known for his improvisation skill, his humour is rooted in deadpan, surreal and sometimes dark comedy...
and John Thomson at the opening night of the Manchester Comedy Store. His appearance there lead to a role in the film 24 Hour Party People
24 Hour Party People
24 Hour Party People is a 2002 British film about Manchester's popular music community from 1976 to 1992, and specifically about Factory Records. It was written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and directed by Michael Winterbottom...
(2002). Roberts has also appeared on television, with roles in Cutting It
Cutting It
Cutting It was a popular BBC television programme set in Manchester, England, which ran for four series between 2002 and 2005.- Series 1 :...
, Buried
Buried (TV series)
Buried is a British television drama series, produced by World Productions for Channel 4 and originally screened in 2003. The programme starred Lennie James as Lee Kingley, who is serving a long prison sentence in order to protect a member of his family from a violent criminal...
and Cold Feet
Cold Feet
Cold Feet is a British comedy-drama television series produced by Granada Television for the ITV network. The series was created and principally written by Mike Bullen as a follow-up to his award-winning 1997 Comedy Premiere of the same name. The storyline follows three couples experiencing the...
. He has appeared in every television production by Peter Kay
Peter Kay
Peter John Kay is an English comedian, writer, actor, director and producer. His work includes That Peter Kay Thing , Phoenix Nights , Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere , Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and other independent productions which have included two sell out tours.-Early career:Peter Kay...
, except for Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere
Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere
Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere was an award-winning British comedy television show on Channel 4 starring and written by Peter Kay and Patrick McGuinness. All the episodes were also directed by Kay. It began on 12 November 2004 and ran for six 30 minute episodes up until 17 December 2004, with each...
. His latest role is the angry husband in Britain's Got the Pop Factor, broadcast in October 2008.
In 2008, he became the first stand-up comedian to perform at the Erin Arts Centre on the Isle of Man
Isle of Man
The Isle of Man , otherwise known simply as Mann , is a self-governing British Crown Dependency, located in the Irish Sea between the islands of Great Britain and Ireland, within the British Isles. The head of state is Queen Elizabeth II, who holds the title of Lord of Mann. The Lord of Mann is...
. A local critic praised his style of anecdotal humour.
Smug will be touring with his one man show "Flip" in late 2011-2012