Alexei Sayle
Alexei David Sayle is a British comedian, actor and ex-Communist. He was born in Anfield, Liverpool, England on August 7, 1952. He was a central part of the alternative comedy circuit in the early Eighties.
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Overview
Alexei Sayle grew up in Liverpool, the son of working-class Communist parents. After leaving school in dubious circumstances, he took a foundation course in art at Southport before attending Chelsea College of Art and Design in London.
When the Comedy Store opened in London in 1979, he responded to an advert for 'would-be comedians' and became its first compere.
He has starred in many TV series and films, including The Comic Strip Presents, The Young Ones, and many stand-up comedy series. He also co-wrote many programmes, including The Young Ones and five series of his own stand-up/sketch shows, Alexei Sayle's Stuff.
Alexei's humour is typically Milliganesque yet original; for example a memorable sketch in Alexei Sayle's Stuff featured Alexei playing the part of Godot, hitch-hiking across contemporary northern England but never managing to get a lift.
In 1974, he married Linda Rawsthorn.
He had hit singles in the 1980s with "'Ullo John! Gotta New Motor?" and "Didn't You Kill My Brother?"
In 1989, he was awarded an International Emmy for his series Alexei Sayle's Stuff.
In 1995, he was awarded an honorary professorship at the Thames Valley University.
TV series
- The Young Ones (1982)
- Alexei Sayle's Stuff (October 1988-November 1991)
- The All New Alexei Sayle Show (1994-1995)
- Alexei Sayle's Merry-Go-Round (1998)
- Rubbish, King of the Jumble (1992)
Radio
- Lenin of the Rovers (1988)
Movies
- Don't Walk (2001)
- Reckless Kelly (1993)
- Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
- Whoops Apocalypse (1986)
- Gorky Park (1983)
Records
- The Fish People Tapes (Album, Island, 1984?)
- Panic! (Album, Island, 198?)
- 'Ullo John! Got A New Motor?/Pop-Up Toasters (Island) (7" IS162, 12" 12IS162)
- Didn't You Kill My Brother? (CBS, 1985) (7" A6553)
Books
- Train To Hell (Methuen, 9th February 1984; hardcover ISBN 0413524604, paperback ISBN 0413524701) — novel
- Geoffrey the Tube Train and the Fat Comedian (Methuen, 1987; paperback)
- Alexei Sayle's Great Bus Journeys Of The World (Methuen, October 1989; paperback ISBN 0413626709) — collected columns from Time Out
- Barcelona Plates (Sceptre, 17th February 2000; hardback ISBN 0340767529, paperback ISBN 0340767537) — short story collection
- The Dog Catcher (Sceptre, 19th July 2001; hardcover ISBN 0340818689, paperback ISBN 0340819448) — short story collection
- Overtaken (Sceptre, 1st September 2003; hardcover ISBN 0340767685) — despite Train To Hell, this was publicised as being Sayle's first novel