Michael Barrymore

Four decades into his award-winning stage and screen career, Michael Barrymore continues to be one of New Zealand and Britain’s most revered entertainers.

He first charmed his way into the hearts of English viewers in 1979 as the winner of ITV’s New Faces, and in 2008 was winning lavish praise again, this time as legendary comedian Spike Milligan in the sell-out stage show Surviving Spike.

In between, Michael has also found a niche for himself in New Zealand where he also calls home and holds residency.

Longtime fans of Michael’s hit TV shows, Kiwis were quick to embrace his live performances, selling out two tours of Laid Back and again in 2004 with Heartland. In addition, Michael toured the North Island of New Zealand playing the role of lawyer Billy Flynn in the popular stage musical Chicago opposite Tina Cross.

Michael also finds time for charity and corporate engagements, and as he has done in the UK on many occasions, brings his own unique and spontaneous humour to each event, whether as MC or headlining after-dinner speaker.
Born in Bermondsey, London, in 1952, the breeding ground for stars such as Charlie Chaplin and Max Bygraves, Michael knew from an early age he wanted to follow their example.

Michael's biggest break came when he joined Russ Abbot's Television Madhouse in 1981. His own series with Thames Television, The Michael Barrymore Show, followed two years later.

In 1987 he made the first of his Strike It Lucky shows. It proved so successful that the entertainer went on to make a further nine series.  In 1989, Michael trod the boards playing Wishee Washee with Frank Bruno as the Genie of the Lamp in the pantomime Aladdin at London's prestigious Dominion Theatre, where bookings went through the roof. The following Christmas, he starred in Cinderella as Buttons at the Bristol Hippodrome and again ticket sales broke all records.

Highlights of Michael's career have included two Royal Variety Performances and Royal shows in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen. In 1992 he starred in The Children's Royal Variety Performance attended by Princess Margaret, to universal acclaim.

In 1993 Michael was signed by London Weekend Television who recognised the performer's huge talent that would, in the next few years, earn him an array of accolades. His top rated series Barrymore won the Top ITV Entertainment Presenter prize for three years running at the British Comedy Awards from 1993 to 1995 Michael went on to win a veritable arsenal of honours in 1995 and triumph with his series My Kind Of People. Also in that year, at the first ever National Television Awards voted for by viewers, Michael won the title of Top Entertainment Presenter and also saw Barrymore scoop Best Entertainment Show. At the same ceremony he also notched up Top Game Show for Strike It Lucky.

During 1997 Michael recorded a new series of Strike It Rich, followed by a cameo in the Spice Girls movie Spiceworld. He also recorded a new series of My Kind Of Music and performed his live Christmas show Barrymore Live for 11 Days at Fairfield Halls, a sell out every night to standing ovations.

Michael toured England, Wales and Scotland during 1998 with his An Evening with Barrymore live show, again his huge popularity was reflected in sell-outs and standing ovations.

In 1999 and 2000 Michael made a new series called Kids Say The Funniest Things, and his first ever drama comedy, Bob Martin, both bringing him more awards for Best Entertainment Show and Best Comedy Performance at the National Television Awards.

More recent highlights include winning the most popular celebrity prize in the 2006 series of Celebrity Big Brother, and the release the same year of his biography Awight Now: Setting the Record Straight.