Simon Amstell

Amstell is now one of the most famous faces on the stand up circuit thanks to his roles presenting Popworld and, subsequently, Never Mind The Buzzcocks. He is one of the most acerbic hosts and presenters in maintstream TV whose surreal and often slightly cruel mockery of his celebrity subjects is a definite highlight for viewers of the idiot lantern.

Incredibly quick-witted and classically schooled in putting down heckles, Amstell does stand up for the sheer love of it and he shares all kinds of intimate revelations from his day job. In deference to his audience's expectations his skits deal with the nature of fame and celebrity tittle tattle, but he is actually a comedian first and foremost.

The first time we saw Amstell he was a gawky teenager who seemed incredibly nervous and brought howls of delight from his fellow comics with a ten minute 'call back' joke about Lauren Bacall. Nowadays he is much more assured but still smiles from ear to ear when it works.

A master punner with something not very pleasant to say about our vacuous celebrity-worshipping society. We like.

Web

• Homepage
• Twitter