Karl John Lucas (born 27 March 1972) is an English comedian, actor and writer, who has written for and appeared in a number of television, music videos and radio comedy programmes, as well as various theatre productions. Lucas worked on

Galaxy 102 Capital Manchester was a local radio station owned and operated by Global Radio as part of the Capital radio network. The station broadcast from their studios at Global's Manchester HQ in the XYZ Building in Spinningfields, Manchester. In Apri ...

's Breakfast show which collectively won three

Sony Awards The Radio Academy Awards, started in 1983, were the most prestigious awards in the British radio industry. For most of their existence, they were run by ZAFER Associates, but in latter years were brought under the control of The Radio Academy ...

(1999/2000) — Gold in 1999 and Silver in 2000 for Best Breakfast Show. Lucas was writer and comedy sidekick on the show and was awarded his own Sony Award (Bronze) for his part of the 'Sticker Vicar' in 1999. Lucas is a graduate of the

University of Salford , caption = Coat of ArmsUniversity of Salford , mottoeng = "Let us seek higher things" , established = 1850 - Pendleton Mechanics Institute 1896 – Royal Technical Institute, Salford 1967 – gained ...

, with a BA Honours and HND in Performing Arts. He graduated with distinction in 1996 and is listed on the Manchester Evening News' 'Hall of Fame'. Lucas played Richard, a member of the fictional Pop group ''2 Up, 2 down'' on '' Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice'' (2008) a spoof on the talent show genre of programmes. Some of the shows most memorable moments saw ''2 Up 2 Down'' singing a duet with

Rick Astley Richard Paul Astley (born 6 February 1966) is an English singer, songwriter and radio personality, who has been active in music for several decades. He gained worldwide fame in the 1980s, having multiple hits including his signature song "Ne ...

, getting Hip-Hop dance lessons off

Lionel Blair Lionel Blair (born Henry Lionel Ogus; 12 December 1928 – 4 November 2021) was a Canadian-born British actor, choreographer, tap dancer, and television presenter. From the late 1960s until the early 1980s, he made regular appearances as a danc ...

and Richard's

rap Rapping (also rhyming, spitting, emceeing or MCing) is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular". It is performed or chanted, usually over a backing beat or musical accompaniment. The ...

in the middle of "

The Winner's Song "The Winner's Song" is a single by fictional character Geraldine McQueen from '' Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice'', a spoof talent contest/comedy by British ...

" (co-written by

Gary Barlow Gary Barlow (born 20 January 1971) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer, and television personality. He is the lead singer of the British pop group Take That. Barlow is one of the United Kingdom's most successful songwriters, havi ...

). He is one of the only British comedians who has worked as a warm up on American TV shows: ''America's Got Talent'' and ''Osbournes Reloaded''. Karl is the sole director of Pink Walrus Productions Limited.

Peter Kay

Lucas has worked closely with

Peter Kay Peter John Kay (born 2 July 1973) is an English actor, comedy writer and stand-up comedian. He has written, produced and acted in several television and film projects, and has written three books. Born and brought up in Bolton, Kay studied ...

on many of his TV, DVD, Music and Stand-Up projects, as a Writer, Actor and Director. He was a Tour Manager for Peter Kay's Mum Wants a Bungalow Tour and filmed/directed a documentary called One Hundred and Eighty: The Tour Documentary. Lucas supports Comic Relief and has donated his time as a consultant writer/backstage director on the

Comic Relief Comic relief is the inclusion of a humorous character, scene, or witty dialogue in an otherwise serious work, often to relieve tension. Definition Comic relief usually means a releasing of emotional or other tension resulting from a comic episo ...

Charity singles " 500 Miles" and "

Is this the way to Amarillo "(Is This the Way to) Amarillo" is a song written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. It is about a man traveling to Amarillo, Texas, to find his girlfriend Marie. Written by two Americans with a strong country-western lyrical theme, the s ...

", and has cameo appearances in both videos.

Writing

Lucas has written scripts, story lines, additional material, sketches and provided material for '' Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice'', ''The Coronation Street Panto'', ''

Coronation Street ''Coronation Street'' is an English soap opera created by Granada Television and shown on ITV since 9 December 1960. The programme centres around a cobbled, terraced street in Weatherfield, a fictional town based on inner-city Salford. Origi ...

'',

You've Been Framed ''You've Been Framed!'' is a British television series where viewers can contribute to the programme with their humorous home movies for the entertainment of others. It is produced by ITV Studios and comedian Harry Hill has been providing narrat ...

, ''

Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway ''Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway'' (referred to simply as ''Saturday Night Takeaway'' or ''SNT'') is a British television variety show, created and presented by Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly (colloquially known as Ant & Dec), and b ...

'', ''A Question of TV'', ''

Soap Fever ''Soap Fever'' is a British television Entertainment programme on ITV2 presented by Liza Tarbuck, Denise Welch, Emma Kennedy, Jordan Davies, Jenny Powell and towards the end of its run Fiona Phillips and Penny Smith. Each week the show would fea ...

'', ''

Loose Women ''Loose Women'' (previously known as ''Live Talk'' from 2000 to 2001) is a British talk show that broadcasts on ITV1 weekdays from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm. The show focuses on a panel of four female presenters who interview celebrities, talk about ...

'', '' Max and Paddy's Power of Two'', and ''

Osbournes Reloaded ''Osbournes Reloaded'' is a 2009 variety show that aired its only episode on Fox. The show was hosted by The Osbournes — Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly — and premiered Tuesday March 31 on Fox following ''American Idol''. FremantleMedia, ...

'' in the U.S. In 2011 he wrote and directed '' This Morning''s first ever live Pantomime.

Cinderella "Cinderella",; french: link=no, Cendrillon; german: link=no, Aschenputtel) or "The Little Glass Slipper", is a folk tale with thousands of variants throughout the world.Dundes, Alan. Cinderella, a Casebook. Madison, Wis: University of Wisconsi ...

featured the regular cast in an all singing and dancing live spectacular.

TV appearances

* Derren Brown's Remote Control as ''Voice Over Man'' * Shameless (Channel 4) as ''Branson'' * Emmerdale: The Dingles – For Richer for Poorer as ''Fridge'' (director: Tim O'Mara) * Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice as ''Richard'' in (TwoUp-TwoDown) (director:

) * Raiders of the Pop Charts as ''Himself'' * Raiders of the Pop Charts II as ''Himself'' * Britain's Got The Pop Factor ... and Then Some! as ''Richard'' * Osbournes: Reloaded (Fox TV) as ''New Family Member'' *

(ITV) ''Various Roles'' * Shameless (Channel 4) as ''Paramedic'' * ''

Ideal Ideal may refer to: Philosophy * Ideal (ethics), values that one actively pursues as goals * Platonic ideal, a philosophical idea of trueness of form, associated with Plato Mathematics * Ideal (ring theory), special subsets of a ring considere ...

'' (BBC) as ''Peter (Ginger Elvis)'' *

Mischief Mischief or malicious mischief is the name for a criminal offenses that is defined differently in different legal jurisdictions. While the wrongful acts will often involve what is popularly described as vandalism, there can be a legal differenti ...

"Is it coz I is Black?" (BBC) as ''Presenter'' (director: Sam Lewens) * Waterloo Road (BBC) as ''Radio Presenter'' * One Hundred and Eighty: The Tour Documentary as ''Himself'' * Peter Kay Night (Channel 4) as ''Himself'' * Max & Paddy's Power of Two (Channel 4) as ''Woman in Burka'' * Peter Kay Live at the Manchester Arena (Channel 4) as ''Himself'' *

Celebrities Under Pressure ''Celebrities Under Pressure'' is a British game show that aired on ITV from 13 September 2003 to 7 August 2004. It was first hosted by Melanie Sykes for series 1 & 2 and then hosted by Vernon Kay for series 3. Format The show follows families ...

(ITV) as ''Elvis'' *

Phoenix Nights ''Phoenix Nights'' is a British sitcom about The Phoenix Club, a working men's club in the northern English town of Bolton, Greater Manchester. The show is a spin-off from the "In the Club" episode of the spoof documentary series ''That Pete ...

(Channel 4) as ''Ass TV Presenter Baz Hastings'' *

You've Been Framed! ''You've Been Framed!'' is a British television series where viewers can contribute to the programme with their humorous home movies for the entertainment of others. It is produced by ITV Studios and comedian Harry Hill has been providing narrat ...

(ITV) as ''Caretaker'' *

Newsnight ''Newsnight'' (or ''BBC Newsnight'') is BBC Two's news and current affairs programme, providing in-depth investigation and analysis of the stories behind the day's headlines. The programme is broadcast on weekdays at 22:30. and is also availa ...

(BBC) as ''Himself'' (2002) *

(ITV) as ''various characters'' (with

Emma Kennedy Emma Kennedy (born Elizabeth Emma Williams on 28 May 1967) is an English actress, lawyer, comedian, and travel writer, comedian, television presenter and author. Early life and education The daughter of teachers,

)

DVD appearances

* Emmerdale: The Dingles – For Richer for Poorer as ''Fridge'' (director: Tim O'Mara) * Britain's Got The Pop Factor ... And Possibly A New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly On Ice (DVD) (2009) * Shameless (DVD) (2008) * Special Kay (DVD) (2008) * Waterloo Road (DVD) (2007) *''

'' (DVD) (2007) * Peter Kay – Stand Up UKay (DVD) (2007) * Max and Paddy's Power of Two (DVD)(2005) * Live at the Manchester Arena (DVD) (2005) *

'' (DVD)(2001–2002)

TV warm-up

Lucas has been a TV warm-up man since 1994. His first professional job in TV was a warm-up man on

University Challenge ''University Challenge'' is a British television quiz programme which first aired in 1962. ''University Challenge'' aired for 913 episodes on ITV from 21 September 1962 to 31 December 1987, presented by quizmaster Bamber Gascoigne. The BBC ...

. He has since worked on such shows as ''

'' ''

Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway ''Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway'' (referred to simply as ''Saturday Night Takeaway'' or ''SNT'') is a British television variety show, created and presented by Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly (colloquially known as Ant & Dec), and b ...

'', ''Strictly Come Dancing'', and ''The Voice UK''. He also worked on ''

Epic Win ''Epic Win'' is a British game show that aired on BBC One from 20 August to 24 September 2011 and was hosted by Alexander Armstrong. Format In the programme, contestants complete individual challenges such as trying to dress whilst bouncing a foo ...

'' and '' Let's Do Lunch with Gino & Mel''.

TV producing

Lucas worked in the USA as a Content Producer (2008–09) for

Fremantle Media Fremantle (; formerly FremantleMedia) is a British multinational television production and distribution company based in London. Fremantle takes its name from Fremantle International, acquired by predecessor company All American Television in ...

on Osbournes:Reloaded.

TV presenting

"Is it coz I is Black?" (BBC) as Presenter (director: Sam Lewens) *

ITV2 (1999-2003)

Radio presenting

Chrysalis Radio Global Media & Entertainment Limited, trading as Global, is a British media company formed in 2007. It is the owner of the largest commercial radio company in Europe having expanded through a number of historical acquisitions, including Chrysa ...

FM The Adam Cole Breakfast Show, as writer, presenter and the part of Sticker Vicar *

Faze FM Faze FM Radio Ltd was the owner of two dance music radio stations in the North of England. It operated Kiss 102 in Manchester and Kiss 105 in Yorkshire from 1994 to 1997 before being taken over by Chrysalis Group. History Faze FM Radio Ltd w ...

Kiss 102 Kiss 102 was a dance music radio station based in Manchester, England. History The frequency was originally issued to Sunset 102 Radio - The Kickin FM but that suffered some financial problems. In May 1993, the Radio Authority made a decision ...

, The Grainne Landowski Breakfast Show (Faze Radio) as Co-Host and writer.

DJ

Lucas is also a disc jockey having worked at Nightclubs and Venues all around the UK (including the infamous

Hacienda An ''hacienda'' ( or ; or ) is an estate (or ''finca''), similar to a Roman ''latifundium'', in Spain and the former Spanish Empire. With origins in Andalusia, ''haciendas'' were variously plantations (perhaps including animals or orchards), ...

nightclub), and in the USA where he DJ'd the ''

America's Got Talent ''America's Got Talent'' (often abbreviated as ''AGT'') is a televised American talent show competition, and is part of the global ''Got Talent'' franchise created by Simon Cowell. The program is produced by Fremantle (as well as distribut ...

'' wrap party at

CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc., commonly shortened to CBS, the abbreviation of its former legal name Columbia Broadcasting System, is an American commercial broadcast television and radio network serving as the flagship property of the CBS Entertainmen ...

Studios.

Theatre

* ''The Last Chair'' as Man ( 24:7 Theatre Festival) * ''Granny Must Die'' as Devil/Bishop (24/7 Theatre Festival) * ''

The Dumb Waiter ''The Dumb Waiter'' is a one-act play by Harold Pinter written in 1957. "Small but perfectly formed, ''The Dumb Waiter'' might be considered the best of Harold Pinter's early plays, more consistent than ''The Birthday Party'' and sharper tha ...

'' as Ben (Not the International Theatre Festival) * ''

Noises Off ''Noises Off'' is a 1982 play by the English playwright Michael Frayn. Frayn conceived the idea in 1970 while watching from the wings a performance of ''The Two of Us'', a farce that he had written for Lynn Redgrave. He said, "It was funnier f ...

'' as Garry/Roger (Guide Bridge Theatre) * '' Loot'' as Dennis (Guide Bridge Theatre) * ''The Funny Farm'' (Improvisation) (Guide Bridge Theatre) * ''Stab/Zombie'' (

Edinburgh Festival __NOTOC__ This is a list of arts and cultural festivals regularly taking place in Edinburgh, Scotland. The city has become known for its festivals since the establishment in 1947 of the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Fe ...

(Aspects Theatre Company) * ''

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas ''The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas'' is a musical with a book by Texas author Larry L. King and Peter Masterson and music and lyrics by Carol Hall. It is based on a story by King that was inspired by the real-life Chicken Ranch in La Grange ...

'' as Melvin p Thorpe (Aspects Theatre Company) * ''Chicago'' as Billy Flynn (Aspects Theatre Company) * '' The Tempest'' as Antonio (Aspects Theatre Company) * '' Grease'' as Teen Angel (Aspects Theatre Company)

Cabaret

* The Funny Farm Toured as part of Improvised Comedy Group (1999–2000) * Hosted Mad abbott Cabaret

(1992 and 1995)

Awards

In 1999 The

Breakfast Show was Awarded the Gold for best breakfast show and the Bronze Award for the 'Sticker Vicar'. In 2000, the

Breakfast Show was awarded a silver Sony Award, Karl's third Sony Award. Peter Kay's Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice was Peter Kay's first original show for over four years, and pulled in a massive 7.1 million viewers – making it one of

Channel 4 Channel 4 is a British free-to-air public broadcast television network operated by the state-owned enterprise, state-owned Channel Four Television Corporation. It began its transmission on 2 November 1982 and was established to provide a four ...

's highest rated shows of all time. Winner of 'Best Comedy Performance' at the

RTS RTS may refer to: Medicine * Rape trauma syndrome, the psychological trauma experienced by a rape victim * Revised Trauma Score, a system to evaluate injuries secondary to violent trauma * Rubinstein–Taybi syndrome, a condition characterized by ...

Awards – describing it as "brilliantly visually realised, and a perfect parody of the genre"; the series received 'Best British Comedy Television Programme' award from BAFTA LA and the 'Best Music/Variety Program' at the Banff World Television awards and also received an

Emmy The Emmy Awards, or Emmys, are an extensive range of awards for artistic and technical merit for the American and international television industry. A number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are held throughout the calendar year, each with the ...

nomination for International Comedy in 2009.

References

External links

* * Northern Elastic Theatre Company
Karl Lucas
guidebridge.co.uk; accessed 29 September 2015 {{DEFAULTSORT:Lucas, Karl 1972 births Living people English comedy writers English male television actors English male comedians English male radio actors English radio presenters Academics of the University of Salford Writers from Manchester