A comic crusader with kryptonite wit

He's a renaissance man with a jester's mind, a comic crusader with kryptonite wit, a naughty knave in a keyboard tie. He's one part Jedi, one part Nick Hornby and one part merry prankster with a crackingly good sense of humour.

Phill became a television personality in 1996, when he joined BBC2's pop quiz Never Mind The Buzzcocks as a regular team captain. Anyone who's seen the show can attest to the chemistry of the irreverent Jupitus. It's no wonder such an unpredictable, refreshing cocktail has earned a loyal following from day one.

There is, however, much more to the 'Jupe' than Buzzcocks fame.

As a stand up comedian, he's brandished his rapier wit on both the national and London comedy circuits for eleven years, as well as touring the UK twice.

It all started on a fateful day in 1984, when a disillusioned young Phill quit the Civil Service and started performing punk poetry, supporting bands including The Style Council, The Housemartins and Billy Bragg. Two years later, he began working for indie label Go! Discs - whose artists included Billy Bragg - where he eventually became press officer to The Housemartins.

A passion for music

Phill's passion for music has been well employed on BBC GLR (Greater London Radio), where he presented his own show from 1995 to 2000. He has also directed videos for Billy Bragg and the late Kirsty McColl.

In 2002, Phill joined 6Music to front their breakfast show for the next 5 years.

Phill has supported Madness (2000) on a national tour and in 2001 played with The Who at their Royal Albert Hall date in London. On occasion he has joined Ian Dury's band, The Blockheads as guest vocalist.

Phill regularly travels to Glastonbury to cover the festival for the BBC. And writes for The Guardian, The Times...

Radio

Phill has worked on BBC Radio 4 as a regular contributor to Loose Ends, I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, presented Best Sellers a series of the life and work of Peter Sellers and most recently wrote a presented Disneyfied, a documentary on the work of Walt Disney. In October 2008, Phill talked to the creators of some of his favourite comic strips in a programme, Phill Jupitus' Strips, for BBC Radio 4.

Live and on stage

In 1996, light sabre in hand, Jupitus performed his first tour of the UK with 'Jedi, Steady, Go' - a personal interpretation of the Star Wars story. In 1999, his second UK tour, 'Quadrophobia', was a huge success.

In 2007, Phill teamed up with Andre Vincent and co-wrote and performed Waiting for Alice, a tale of two corpulent fictional individuals who reach the end of their tether in an old book. Will their lead character ever arrive to advance the story or will they remain trapped, forever unread?

In May 2008, Phill made his West End debut, appearing in the title role of Nick Reed's critically acclaimed play Lifecoach.

Film and TV

A Buzzcocks and QI regular, Phill has a wealth of other TV and film credits to his name.

From the voice of Dandelion in an animated series based on Watership Down for ITV to starring in a sitcom called Dark Ages for Granada Television.

In January 2000, Phill presented several editions of the popular Top Ten series for Channel 4. Later that year, he joined BBC1's comedy panel game It's Only TV But I Like It as a team captain, alongside Jonathan Ross and Julian Clary. Phill has provided a selection of voices for Aardman Animation's second series of Rex The Runt. He found the time to play an ill-fated patient in the BBC1's hospital drama Holby City (2001) and Doctors (2007). Moviegoers will have seen Phill as an embittered sports journalist in the feature film Mike Bassett England Manager.

MC

Phill hosted the BAFTA Interactive Entertainment Awards (2000 and 2001), the Q awards (2001) and the Empire Awards (2002).