Tim Vine
Encyclopedia
Timothy "Tim" Mark Vine (born 4 March 1967 in Cheam
, Surrey
) is an English
actor
, writer
and comedian
. He has released a number of DVDs of his stand-up comedy, as well as starring in the successful series Not Going Out
with Lee Mack
on the BBC
. He won the award for best joke at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2010, and for the second best in August 2011.
and pun
s. Vine has appeared regularly at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with shows such as The Tim Vine Shambles and The Tim Vine Fiasco which won him the Perrier newcomer award in 1995. In 2006
, he had a large advertising hoarding erected featuring his name and image, with a small sub-heading "...is not appearing at this year's Edinburgh Festival" Vine appeared at the Pleasance Courtyard for the first two weeks of the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe performing a show entitled Punslinger.
He appeared at the Spring Harvest
festival in 2007 and 2008 alongside John Archer
at Skegness
and Minehead
, and at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in May 2007 for a show entitled Tim Vine, Live in Concrete.
He has taken his comedy act on a tour of the United Kingdom
, in tours such as Current Puns in 2006 and Punslinger in 2008. In July 2008, he recorded a performance at the Bloomsbury Theatre
in London
, which was released as a new DVD entitled So I Said To This Bloke... on 27 October 2008. His third tour, The Joke-amotive, took place during February and March 2010, with a DVD of the show released in November 2011.
Many of his jokes have been falsely attributed to Tommy Cooper
; the West End
show about Tommy Cooper actually features some of Vine's jokes.
told 549 jokes.
on 30 March 1997 and presented the game show
Whittle
on the channel. He has also presented the game show Fluke on Channel 4
and Housemates on BBC One
. He also appeared on a celebrity edition of Fort Boyard
as a contestant on Challenge in 2003. In 2004, he also presented Fort Boyard Takes on the World for Challenge.
He was also one of the regular team of comedians to write for and appear in the ITV
comedy series The Sketch Show
, which went on to win a BAFTA.
In 2005, he appeared alongside other celebrities in Spelling Bee on ITV1
. He appeared as a contestant on Comic Relief does Fame Academy
in 2007, but was voted out on 9 March.
In 2006, he starred alongside fellow comedian Lee Mack
in sitcom Not Going Out
. The show became very popular among fans of Vine and Mack's deadpan style; it has completed three series and returned for a fourth in 2011 on BBC One
, although he has announced he wants to quit the show. This was believed to be the case until he took part in an interview with television channel Dave
during which he confirmed that a fifth and sixth series are now being written. The fifth series has been commissioned, even though the sixth series has yet to be filmed.
In September 2007, he appeared with his brother Jeremy
on the celebrity version of ITV1
's Who Wants to be a Millionaire where they raised £1000 for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund.
On 1 January 2009, he appeared on Celebrity Mastermind
, choosing Elvis Presley
as his specialist subject. He went on to secure first place with a score of 28 points, donating his prize money to the Cure Parkinson's Trust.
From 20 April 2009, he began a week-long first appearance in Dictionary Corner on Countdown
, returning for further week-long stints on 22 June 2009, 9 November 2009, 28 June 2010, 10 January 2011 and in June 2011.
He made an appearance on the Australian soap Neighbours
broadcast in Australia on 28 July 2009, and in the UK on 29 September 2009.
He appeared as a guest comedian on Live at the Apollo on 18 December 2009 on BBC One
.
He also appeared on a celebrity edition of Total Wipeout
which aired on 26 December 2009.
In the 2006 edition of Channel 4's '100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians', he was voted 100th. However in the updated list in 2010, he was voted 36th.
He also made an appearance on Soccer AM, alongside Pixie Lott
and Jamie O'Hara.
, piano
and drums
. He has released an album of non-comedy songs, which he sells at pretendpopstar.co.uk.
He is a Christian
and occasionally plays the drums at his church. He was in several bands, including The Flared Generation with brother Jeremy Vine
. Both Tim and Jeremy were educated at Epsom College
in Surrey.
, 'Tim Vine Celebrates'. The first episode "Tim Vine Celebrates... Christmas" was released free on 19 December and introduces many previously unheard jokes and humorous songs, as well as an array of comedy characters, mostly voiced by himself.
On 25 August 2011, he won the prize for the second funniest joke at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. His joke was "Crime in multi-storey car parks. That is wrong on so many different levels." He was beaten by Nick Helm (returning to the Fringe for only the second time).
, author, journalist and BBC Radio 2
presenter. He is a Christian
. He also is a supporter of Sutton United F.C.
, stating the first game he attended was an FA Cup
3rd round tie in the 1987/88 season against Middlesbrough F.C
Cheam
Cheam is a large suburban village close to Sutton in the London Borough of Sutton, England, and is located close to the southern boundary between Greater London and Surrey. It is divided into two main areas: North Cheam and Cheam Village. North Cheam includes more retail shops and supermarkets,...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
) is an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
. He has released a number of DVDs of his stand-up comedy, as well as starring in the successful series Not Going Out
Not Going Out
Not Going Out is a British television sitcom that has aired on BBC One since 2006. Starring Lee Mack, Tim Vine, Sally Bretton, Miranda Hart and Katy Wix, it was initially written by Mack, Andrew Collins, Paul Kerensa, Simon Evans and Peter Tilbury, but now features contributions from other...
with Lee Mack
Lee Mack
Lee Gordon McKillop is an English stand-up comedian and actor, known by the stage name Lee Mack. He is well known in the United Kingdom for writing and starring in the sitcom Not Going Out, for being a team captain on Would I Lie to You? and for hosting Lee Mack's All Star Cast.-Personal life:Mack...
on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. He won the award for best joke at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2010, and for the second best in August 2011.
Stand up
His stand-up act consists primarily of a series of quick-fire one-linersOne-liner joke
A one-liner is a joke that is delivered in a single line. A good one-liner is said to be pithy.Comedians and actors use this comedic method as part of their act, e.g...
and pun
Pun
The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings, by exploiting multiple meanings of words, or of similar-sounding words, for an intended humorous or rhetorical effect. These ambiguities can arise from the intentional use and abuse of homophonic,...
s. Vine has appeared regularly at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with shows such as The Tim Vine Shambles and The Tim Vine Fiasco which won him the Perrier newcomer award in 1995. In 2006
2006 Edinburgh Festival Fringe
-Events:2006 was the first Fringe following the introduction of the new legislation banning smoking indoors. During a photocall at the Assembly Rooms for a play in which he was playing Winston Churchill, the actor Mel Smith lit a cigar, flouting the ban...
, he had a large advertising hoarding erected featuring his name and image, with a small sub-heading "...is not appearing at this year's Edinburgh Festival" Vine appeared at the Pleasance Courtyard for the first two weeks of the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe performing a show entitled Punslinger.
He appeared at the Spring Harvest
Spring Harvest
Spring Harvest is an inter-denominational Christian conference and gathering in the United Kingdom. Its "Main Event" takes place annually at the Butlins resorts in Minehead and Skegness over the Easter school holiday period....
festival in 2007 and 2008 alongside John Archer
John Archer (Comedy Magic)
-Career:Archer was a police officer in Cleveland Constabulary for ten years, until 1996 when he was medically retired, after which he began entertaining. In 1998, Archer was awarded the Ken Dodd Presidents Trophy for Best New Magical Comedy Entertainer. In February 2000, he took part in the...
at Skegness
Skegness
Skegness is a seaside town and civil parish in the East Lindsey district of Lincolnshire, England. Located on the Lincolnshire coast of the North Sea, east of the city of Lincoln it has a total resident population of 18,910....
and Minehead
Minehead
Minehead is a coastal town and civil parish in Somerset, England. It lies on the south bank of the Bristol Channel, north-west of the county town of Taunton, from the border with the county of Devon and in proximity of the Exmoor National Park...
, and at the Shepherd's Bush Empire in May 2007 for a show entitled Tim Vine, Live in Concrete.
He has taken his comedy act on a tour of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, in tours such as Current Puns in 2006 and Punslinger in 2008. In July 2008, he recorded a performance at the Bloomsbury Theatre
The UCL Bloomsbury
The Bloomsbury Theatre is a theatre on Gordon Street, Bloomsbury, in the London Borough of Camden, owned by University College London.The Theatre has a seating capacity of 535 and offers a professional programme of innovative music, drama, comedy and dance all year round.Funded by a UGC grant and a...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, which was released as a new DVD entitled So I Said To This Bloke... on 27 October 2008. His third tour, The Joke-amotive, took place during February and March 2010, with a DVD of the show released in November 2011.
Many of his jokes have been falsely attributed to Tommy Cooper
Tommy Cooper
Thomas Frederick "Tommy" Cooper was a very popular British prop comedian and magician from Caerphilly, Wales.Cooper was a member of The Magic Circle, and respected by traditional magicians...
; the West End
West End of London
The West End of London is an area of central London, containing many of the city's major tourist attractions, shops, businesses, government buildings, and entertainment . Use of the term began in the early 19th century to describe fashionable areas to the west of Charing Cross...
show about Tommy Cooper actually features some of Vine's jokes.
World record
On 7 October 2004, he broke the Guinness World Record for the most jokes told in an hour with 499, beating the previous record of 362. Each joke told had to get a laugh from the paying audience to count towards the record. He held the record until May 2005, when Australian comedian, Anthony "Lehmo" LehmannLehmo
Anthony Lehmann, better known by his nickname Lehmo, is an Australian comedian, radio personality, television personality and movie actor. He is probably best known as co-hosting Before the Game for Channel Ten, and co-hosting Triple M's drive time show with Wil Anderson...
told 549 jokes.
Television
He co-launched Channel 5 with Julia BradburyJulia Bradbury
Julia Bradbury is an Irish-born British television presenter, best known for presenting the BBC One programme Countryfile and other documentaries and consumer affairs programmes.-Early years:...
on 30 March 1997 and presented the game show
Game show
A game show is a type of radio or television program in which members of the public, television personalities or celebrities, sometimes as part of a team, play a game which involves answering questions or solving puzzles usually for money and/or prizes...
Whittle
Whittle (UK game show)
Whittle was a UK game show for Channel 5 and it was hosted by comedian Tim Vine.The show aired throughout the channel's first two broadcasting years, from 31st March 1997 to 21st June 1998...
on the channel. He has also presented the game show Fluke on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
and Housemates on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. He also appeared on a celebrity edition of Fort Boyard
Fort Boyard
Fort Boyard is a fort located between the Île-d'Aix and the Île d'Oléron in the Pertuis d'Antioche straits, on the west coast of France. Though a fort on Boyard bank was suggested as early as the 17th century, it was not until the 1800s under Napoleon Bonaparte that work began.-Layout:Fort...
as a contestant on Challenge in 2003. In 2004, he also presented Fort Boyard Takes on the World for Challenge.
He was also one of the regular team of comedians to write for and appear in the ITV
ITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
comedy series The Sketch Show
The Sketch Show
The Sketch Show is a British television sketch comedy programme, featuring many leading British comedians. It aired on ITV between 2001 and 2003.A short-lived spinoff of the same title was produced in the United States.- Original line-up :...
, which went on to win a BAFTA.
In 2005, he appeared alongside other celebrities in Spelling Bee on ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
. He appeared as a contestant on Comic Relief does Fame Academy
Comic Relief Does Fame Academy
Comic Relief Does Fame Academy is a spin-off of the original Fame Academy show where celebrities sing as students of the Academy. The programme was launched in 2003 to help raise money for the charities supported by Comic Relief, with the final of the show occurring on Red Nose Day...
in 2007, but was voted out on 9 March.
In 2006, he starred alongside fellow comedian Lee Mack
Lee Mack
Lee Gordon McKillop is an English stand-up comedian and actor, known by the stage name Lee Mack. He is well known in the United Kingdom for writing and starring in the sitcom Not Going Out, for being a team captain on Would I Lie to You? and for hosting Lee Mack's All Star Cast.-Personal life:Mack...
in sitcom Not Going Out
Not Going Out
Not Going Out is a British television sitcom that has aired on BBC One since 2006. Starring Lee Mack, Tim Vine, Sally Bretton, Miranda Hart and Katy Wix, it was initially written by Mack, Andrew Collins, Paul Kerensa, Simon Evans and Peter Tilbury, but now features contributions from other...
. The show became very popular among fans of Vine and Mack's deadpan style; it has completed three series and returned for a fourth in 2011 on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
, although he has announced he wants to quit the show. This was believed to be the case until he took part in an interview with television channel Dave
Dave
Dave may refer to:* Dave * Dave * Dave * Dave * DAvE , a C-language software development tool* Thursby DAVE, file- and printer-sharing software-See also:* Dangerous Dave, a computer game...
during which he confirmed that a fifth and sixth series are now being written. The fifth series has been commissioned, even though the sixth series has yet to be filmed.
In September 2007, he appeared with his brother Jeremy
Jeremy Vine
Jeremy Guy Vine is a British author, journalist and news presenter for the BBC. He is known for his direct interview style and exclusive reporting from war-torn areas throughout Africa...
on the celebrity version of ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
's Who Wants to be a Millionaire where they raised £1000 for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund.
On 1 January 2009, he appeared on Celebrity Mastermind
Celebrity Mastermind
Celebrity Mastermind is a British television quiz show broadcast by BBC television. The show is a spin-off of the long running quiz show Mastermind, with the exception that all the contestants are celebrities. As with the main show, John Humphrys is the host and question-master...
, choosing Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
as his specialist subject. He went on to secure first place with a score of 28 points, donating his prize money to the Cure Parkinson's Trust.
From 20 April 2009, he began a week-long first appearance in Dictionary Corner on Countdown
Countdown (game show)
Countdown is a British game show involving word and number puzzles. It is produced by ITV Studios and broadcast on Channel 4. It is presented by Jeff Stelling, assisted by Rachel Riley, with regular lexicographer Susie Dent. It was the first programme to be aired on Channel 4, and over sixty-five...
, returning for further week-long stints on 22 June 2009, 9 November 2009, 28 June 2010, 10 January 2011 and in June 2011.
He made an appearance on the Australian soap Neighbours
Neighbours
Neighbours is an Australian television soap opera first broadcast on the Seven Network on 18 March 1985. It was created by TV executive Reg Watson, who proposed the idea of making a show that focused on realistic stories and portrayed adults and teenagers who talk openly and solve their problems...
broadcast in Australia on 28 July 2009, and in the UK on 29 September 2009.
He appeared as a guest comedian on Live at the Apollo on 18 December 2009 on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
.
He also appeared on a celebrity edition of Total Wipeout
Total Wipeout
Total Wipeout is a British game show, hosted by Richard Hammond and Amanda Byram, which first aired on 3 January 2009. Each week 20 contestants compete in a series of challenges in an attempt to win £10,000. These challenges are based in large pools of water or mud and generally involve large...
which aired on 26 December 2009.
In the 2006 edition of Channel 4's '100 Greatest Stand-Up Comedians', he was voted 100th. However in the updated list in 2010, he was voted 36th.
He also made an appearance on Soccer AM, alongside Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott
Victoria Louise "Pixie" Lott is an English singer-songwriter, dancer and actress. Her debut single "Mama Do" was released in June 2009 and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart. Her second single "Boys and Girls", also topped the UK charts in September 2009. Her debut album Turn It...
and Jamie O'Hara.
Music
His musical talent, aside from the comedy songs in his act, includes playing the guitarGuitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
and drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
. He has released an album of non-comedy songs, which he sells at pretendpopstar.co.uk.
He is a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
and occasionally plays the drums at his church. He was in several bands, including The Flared Generation with brother Jeremy Vine
Jeremy Vine
Jeremy Guy Vine is a British author, journalist and news presenter for the BBC. He is known for his direct interview style and exclusive reporting from war-torn areas throughout Africa...
. Both Tim and Jeremy were educated at Epsom College
Epsom College
Epsom College is an independent co-educational public school in Epsom, Surrey, England, for pupils aged 13 to 18. Founded in 1853 to provide support for poor members of the medical profession such as pensioners and orphans , Epsom's long-standing association with medicine was estimated in 1980 as...
in Surrey.
Podcast
In December 2007, he launched his first podcastPodcast
A podcast is a series of digital media files that are released episodically and often downloaded through web syndication...
, 'Tim Vine Celebrates'. The first episode "Tim Vine Celebrates... Christmas" was released free on 19 December and introduces many previously unheard jokes and humorous songs, as well as an array of comedy characters, mostly voiced by himself.
Fringe award
In August 2010, he won the prize for the funniest joke of that year's Edinburgh Fringe, following a public vote from a judged shortlist. His winning joke was "I've just been on a once-in-a-lifetime holiday. I'll tell you what, never again."On 25 August 2011, he won the prize for the second funniest joke at the Edinburgh Fringe festival. His joke was "Crime in multi-storey car parks. That is wrong on so many different levels." He was beaten by Nick Helm (returning to the Fringe for only the second time).
Personal life
He is the younger brother of Jeremy VineJeremy Vine
Jeremy Guy Vine is a British author, journalist and news presenter for the BBC. He is known for his direct interview style and exclusive reporting from war-torn areas throughout Africa...
, author, journalist and BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
presenter. He is a Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
. He also is a supporter of Sutton United F.C.
Sutton United F.C.
Sutton United Football Club is an English football club currently playing in the Conference South. They are based in Sutton, London, and play their home games at the Borough Sports Ground in Gander Green Lane....
, stating the first game he attended was an FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
3rd round tie in the 1987/88 season against Middlesbrough F.C
Books
- Sit-Down Comedy (contributor to anthology, ed Malcolm HardeeMalcolm HardeeMalcolm Hardee was an English comedian, author, comedy club proprietor, compère, agent, manager and "amateur sensationalist"....
& John Fleming) Ebury Press/Random House, 2003. ISBN 0091889243; ISBN 978-0091889241 - The Biggest Ever Tim Vine Joke Book, Century, 2010. ISBN 1846058279; ISBN 978-1846058271
Stand-Up DVDs
- Live (29 November 2004)
- Live - So I Said To This Bloke (27 October 2008)
- Punslinger Live (22 November 2010)
- Jokeamotive Live (21 November 2011)
External links
- Tim Vine official website
- The British Sitcom Guide on Not Going Out