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Christopher Biggins

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Christopher Biggins
Biggins at theCarlton Clubin 2009
Born(1948-12-16)16 December 1948(age 75)
Oldham,Lancashire,England
Occupation(s)Actor, television presenter
Years active1970–present
Spouse
Beatrice Norbury
​
​
(m.1971;div.1974)​
PartnerNeil Sinclair (c. 2006–present)

Christopher Biggins(born 16 December 1948) is an English actor and television presenter.

Early life

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Biggins was born inOldham,Lancashire,the son of William and Pamela Biggins.[1]He was brought up inSalisbury,Wiltshire,attended St Probus school where he tookelocutionlessons and participated in local drama groups. His first lead stage role was at the age of 17 in a Stage '65 production ofMolière'sLe Médecin malgré lui,leading to work with a localrepertory theatrecompany.[2]

Career

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Television

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One of Biggins' earliest roles was onUpstairs, Downstairsin Series 2, as the character Mr. Donaldson in the episode "An Object of Value"(1972).[3]He appeared as the regular characterLukewarmin the situation comedyPorridge(1974–1977) starringRonnie Barker.Other comedy shows he appeared in includeWhatever Happened to the Likely Lads?(1973) andSome Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em(1973, 1978).

He playedNeroin theBBC's version ofI, Claudius(1976), dramatised from the novels byRobert Graves,having been selected for the role partly on the strength of atelevision commercialforHeinekenin which he had played the Roman emperorNeropresiding over thegames.[4]He also appeared in the BBC'sPoldark(1977) as the Reverend Osborne Whitworth, inMinderin the episode "The Bounty Hunter" (1979) and the TV miniseriesMasada(1981).

Onchildren's television,he had a regular role as department store owner Adam Painting in the children's television programmeRentaghost(1978–1983) and also played Reverend Whiting inSouthern Television'sBrendon Chase,produced in 1980. He had a leading role inThe Phoenix and the Carpet(1997) and a supporting role as villainous antique dealer, Mr. Benger, in theLook and Readserial "Dark Towers" (1981).

Biggins' co-hosting ofSurprise Surpriseand hosting children'sgame showOn Safari(1982–1984) forTVS,led to his beingtypecastas a "bubbly personality". He was asked in 2005 if he resented this situation replying:

No, not a bit of it. I'm perfectly happy being me, thank you, and I happen to know that I am afforded enormous respect from everybody I know. And anyway, I'm having something of a second wind now. I've reached the age [57] where all kinds of roles are opening up to me.[2]

He was the subject ofThis Is Your Lifein 1999, when he was surprised byMichael Aspelat theTheatre Royal,Brighton.[citation needed]

He appeared inThe One Doctor,one ofBig Finish Productions' audio dramas based on the television seriesDoctor Who.

In 2003, Christopher appeared inShed ProductionsprogrammeBad Girlsas himself. He featured heavily in episode seven where he was 'held hostage' by a group of prisoners protesting over the change of management in the prison. During the episode, he strikes up a relationship with many inmates, but one in particular,Buki Lester,whom he invites to live with him in episode fourteen of the same series. 2003 appeared inJonathan Meades'Fast Food.

He took part in theseventh seriesofI'm a Celebrity...Me Out of Here!in 2007. He was eventually voted the winner of the show on 30 November 2007.[5]

He took part in an episode ofCelebrity Come Dine With Me,first shown onChannel 4on 15 February 2009. He won £1,000 for his chosen charity.

In 2009, he played himself as a pantomime director in theBBC TwositcomPsychoville.

In 2010, he was a celebrity guest team captain on an episode ofWhat Do Kids Know?along withRufus Hound,Joe SwashandSara CoxonWatch.Also in 2010, he played God in the BBC adult puppet comedy showMongrels.

In May 2011, he starred in the second series of Channel 4'sCelebrity Five Go to...in which the celebrities visited South Africa.[6]

In 2013, he appeared onThe Celebrity Chase,where he was the first person in the history of the show to answer all six questions correctly while going for a higher offer.[7]

In 2014, he took part in the celebrity cookery programmeCelebrity MasterChefonBBC One,and returned again in 2020, for a Christmas Special.[8]In 2014, he took part in a celebrity edition ofCatchphrase.He voicesIt's Not Me, It's Youon Channel 5.

On 28 July 2016, Biggins entered theCelebrity Big Brotherhouse to participate in itseighteenth series.He was chosen by the public to take part in the first secret mission. He was removed from the house on Day 9. The show's producers stated that Biggins had made "a number of comments capable of causing great offence to housemates and the viewing public" with regard toantisemiticcomments to his fellow housemates, as well as his view ofbisexuals,whom he described as the "worst type" andblamed for the spreadofHIV/AIDS.[9][10][11]Forty-four people complained toOfcomabout comments Biggins made, but Ofcom ruled that he was not in breach of broadcasting rules.[12]

Theatre

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His theatre roles have included Herod inJesus Christ Superstarand 18 months at theLondon Palladiumin the stage adaptation ofChitty Chitty Bang Bang(where he was teamed in a double act withLouise Gold).

In 2010, Biggins appeared as a guest star narrator inThe Rocky Horror Showat various theatre venues in the United Kingdom.[citation needed]

Pantomime

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Biggins has performed inpantomime.He has playedWidow TwankeyinAladdin(in Plymouth in 2009,Grand Theatre, Wolverhamptonin 2010),ButtonsinCinderella(at theMayflower TheatreinSouthamptonin 2008), and the title role inWinnie the Pooh.In 2011, Biggins played the part of Mrs Crusoe in theRobinson Crusoepantomime at theNew Theatre, Cardiffand returned to theTheatre Royal, PlymouthinDick Whittingtonin December 2012. In 2023 he played the Man in the Mirror inSnow White and the Seven DwarfsatMayflower TheatreinSouthampton.

In December 2013, he was cast in the role of Dame Trot alongsideBob Carolgeesin a production ofJack and the BeanstalkatNew Theatre,Hull.[13]

In 2014, he was in a production ofPeter Panas Mrs Smee inSouthend,Essex.[14]

In 2017, he received the Lifetime Achievement award atThe Great British Pantomime Awards.[citation needed]

Film

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His film roles includeThe Sex Thief(1973),Eskimo Nell(1975),It Could Happen to You(1975),The Rocky Horror Picture Show(1975),Adventures of a Plumber's Mate(1978),Derek Jarman'sThe Tempest(1979), and "The Baker" in the 1999 filmJoseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

In 2012, he was cast in the film version ofRay Cooney's farceRun for Your Wife.

Radio

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In 2008, he briefly co-presented a Sunday morning radio show onBBC LondonwithLesley Joseph.[15]In 2014 and 2015, Biggins covered forLiza TarbuckonBBC Radio 2while she was away.

In May 2017, he returned to BBC Radio 2 to cover forPaul O'Gradyon his Sunday early evening programme.[citation needed]

Other work

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Biggins hosts an annual showWest End Livein London'sLeicester Square.[citation needed]

In 2017 he recorded two songs for the albumWit & Whimsy – Songs by Alexander S. Bermange(one solo and one featuring all of the album's 23 artists).[citation needed]

Personal life

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Biggins was married toAustralianactress Beatrice Norbury from 1971 to 1974.[16]He is nowopenlygayand formed acivil partnershipwith his partner, Neil Sinclair, on 30 December 2006 atHackneyRegister Office.[17]

Politically, Biggins has expressed his admiration for formerConservativePrime MinisterMargaret Thatcher.He admits in hisautobiographythat he cried on the day she resigned, saying: "I'm not the most political of people. But I believe in self-reliance and getting on with the job in hand. Margaret had seemed to personify all that. And she had star quality, which of course I loved."[18]In 2014, he said: "I lovedJohn Major,he was charismatic and charming. I’ve always been a Conservative, though I would have voted forJohn Smith.I hope we have a new Conservative leader making his way to the top now. We need a new man. "[19]

During a 2012 interview onITV'sLoose Women,Biggins said that he feltsame-sex marriageshould not be legalised, stating that marriage "is forheterosexualcouples ".[20]Whensame-sex marriage was introduced in England and Wales in 2014,Biggins attended the "I Do To Equal Marriage" event celebrating it.[21]

Filmography

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Voice in Animated Films

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Voice in TV specials

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  • 2007:How To Marry a Princeas Narrator

References

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  1. ^Masters, Samantha (5 April 2018)."Christopher Biggins praises 'terrific' mother as he shares heartbreaking news of her death".Daily Express.London.Retrieved30 March2022.
  2. ^ab"Christopher Biggins: Oh yes he is!".The Independent.4 December 2005.Retrieved4 October2012.
  3. ^An Object of Value. Upstairs, Downstairs Series 2: Episode 9. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  4. ^Biggins, Christopher (2009).Just Biggins: My Story.Kings Road Publishing.ISBN9781857827811.Retrieved12 February2022.The advert was [...] one of the biggest commercials ever filmed [...] I was Nero, sitting commandingly on my dais at the Colosseum while two young gladiators fought for my pleasure down in the arena.
  5. ^Busk-Cowley, Mark (2014).I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!: The Inside Story.Bantam Press.p. 209.ISBN978-0593073483.
  6. ^"Celebrity Five Go To..."Retrieved25 May2011.
  7. ^"Biggins Breaks A Massive Chase Record!".The Celebrity Chase.5 August 2016.Retrieved16 January2018– via YouTube.
  8. ^West, Amy (21 December 2020)."Celebrity MasterChef Christmas crowns its first festive special winner".Digital Spy.Retrieved23 December2020.
  9. ^"Biggins has been removed from the Big Brother House".Celebrity Big Brother.Channel 4.Retrieved7 August2016.
  10. ^Reporters, Telegraph (2 August 2016)."Christopher Biggins infuriates viewers by describing bisexuals as the 'worst type' on Celebrity Big Brother".The Telegraph.Retrieved7 August2016.
  11. ^"Christopher Biggins apologises for Holocaust 'joke' after being kicked off Celebrity Big Brother".The Telegraph.7 August 2016.Retrieved16 February2018.
  12. ^"Christopher Biggins cleared by Ofcom over Big Brother bisexual comments".BBC News.24 October 2016.Retrieved24 October2016.
  13. ^"Christopher Biggins and Bob Carolgees are to star in Jack and the Beanstalk at Hull New Theatre".Hull Daily Mail.1 November 2013. Archived fromthe originalon 4 November 2013.Retrieved28 November2013.
  14. ^"Peter Pan: Starring David Hasselhoff and Christopher Biggins".Southend Theatres. 2014. Archived fromthe originalon 20 December 2014.
  15. ^Joseph, Lesley."BBC London show".BBC London.Retrieved28 November2013.
  16. ^Biggins, Christopher (2 December 2007)."Biggins: My life".Sunday Mirror.Archived fromthe originalon 3 February 2008.Retrieved27 February2008.
  17. ^Methven, Nicola (22 November 2007)."Biggins wins I'm A Celebrity".Daily Mirror.Retrieved28 August2008.
  18. ^Biggins, Christopher (2009).Just Biggins: My Story.John Blake.ISBN978-1844546541.
  19. ^Graham, Jane (6 May 2014)."Christopher Biggins interview:" Bisexuals should own up to what they are, and not ruin a woman's life "".The Big Issue.Archived fromthe originalon 5 July 2014.Retrieved12 August2014.
  20. ^CoalitionForMarriage (24 February 2012)."Christopher Biggins says no to redefining marriage".Archivedfrom the original on 13 December 2021.Retrieved7 August2016– via YouTube.
  21. ^"Thousands help comedian Sandi Toksvig renew vows after introduction of gay marriage".Herald Scotland. 29 March 2014.Retrieved1 April2014.
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Preceded by I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here!
Winner & King of the Jungle
2007 		Succeeded by
Joe Swash
(2008)
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