Andy Robert Wilkinson (born 1960), better known by his
stage name
A stage name is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individu ...
of Smug Roberts, is an English stand up comedian and actor. Born in
Harpurhey,
Manchester, Wilkinson attended North Manchester High School for Boys before taking various jobs such as a relief pub landlord and the coach of a football team in
Toronto, Ontario,
Canada.
He also ran a signwriting business for a time.
[Margolis, Jonathan (7 October 1999).]
Shut up, dad
. ''The Guardian'' (Guardian Newspapers): p. 2 (''G2'').
In 1995, he tried stand-up comedy for the first time at the Frog and Bucket comedy club, adopting the stage name "Smug Roberts"; the "smug" came from an event in his life where people teased him for being a "smug bastard" and the "Roberts" was adapted from his middle name.
Caroline Aherne and her then-husband
Peter Hook
Peter Hook (born Woodhead; 13 February 1956) is an English musician, best known as the bassist and co-founder of the rock bands Joy Division and New Order. Hook often used the bass as a lead instrument, playing melodies on the high strings wi ...
watched his set and she put him in contact with an
agent.
[Maxwell, Tom (11 January 2008).]
The comedy gods smile on Roberts
. ''Edinburgh Evening News'' (Johnston Press).[Taylor, Paul (25 May 2006).]
. ''Manchester Evening News'' (M.E.N. Media). Six weeks later, Roberts performed his first one-man gig. In 1998, he released the novelty anthem "Meat Pie, Sausage Roll (Come on England, Gi's a Goal)" as "Grandad Roberts", both the character and song (originally a
jingle referencing
Oldham Athletic A.F.C. rather than England) stemming from his afternoon radio show on
Key 103.
Meat pie, sausage roll, come on England, give us a goal!
. ''Chorley Citizen'' At the end of 1999, he compered the re-opened Embassy Club, on the invitation of Bernard Manning
Bernard John Manning (13 August 1930 – 18 June 2007) was an English comedian and nightclub owner.
Manning gained a high profile on British television during the 1970s, appearing on shows such as '' The Comedians'' and ''The Wheeltappers and ...
's son Bernard Jr.[ On his appointment, '' City Life'' comedy editor Marissa Burgess said, "I personally don't hold with Bernard Manning's comedy, so changing hands to Smug Roberts I feel can only be a good thing."][
In 2000, he headlined with Paul Merton and John Thomson at the opening night of the Manchester Comedy Store. His appearance there led to a role in the film '']24 Hour Party People
''24 Hour Party People'' is a 2002 British biographical comedy-drama film about Manchester's popular music community from 1976 to 1992, and specifically about Factory Records. It was written by Frank Cottrell Boyce and directed by Michael Win ...
'' (2002).Cold Feet
Cold feet is a phrase that refers to a person not going through with an action, particularly one which requires long term commitment, due to fear, uncertainty, and doubt. A person is said to be "getting cold feet" when, after previously committin ...
''. He has appeared in every television production by Peter Kay, except for '' Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere''.
Between 2001–2004, Smug Roberts was part of the cast of the BBC Radio 4 sketch show, The In Crowd. The Manchester-based comedy also featured Kate Ward, Robin Ince and Helen Moon and is regularly repeated on BBC Radio 4 Extra.
References
External links
Official website
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Smug
1960 births
English male television actors
English male comedians
English stand-up comedians
Living people
People from Harpurhey
English male film actors