Alexander Armstrong
{{Short description|English actor, comedian, radio personality, television presenter, singer and farmer}}
{{Other people}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=November 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Alexander Armstrong
| image = Alexander Armstrong 20241205.jpg
| caption = Armstrong at Waterstones, London in 2024
| birth_name = Alexander Henry Fenwick Armstrong
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1970|3|2}}
| birth_place = Rothbury, Northumberland, England
| education = Trinity College, Cambridge (BA)
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|comedian|radio personality|television presenter|singer|farmer}}
| years_active = 1994–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Hannah Snow|2003}}
| children = 4
| relatives = Lucius Thompson-McCausland (grandfather);
Alastair King (brother-in-law)
}}
Alexander Henry Fenwick Armstrong (born 2 March 1970) is an English actor, comedian, radio personality, television presenter, singer and farmer. He is the host of the BBC One game show Pointless, and is a weekday morning-show presenter on Classic FM.
Armstrong is a member of the comedy duo Armstrong and Miller, with Ben Miller. His television credits include Armstrong and Miller, Beast, Life Begins, Hunderby and Danger Mouse. He is also known as the voice of Mr Smith, Sarah Jane Smith's alien supercomputer in The Sarah Jane Adventures and the series 4 two-part finale of Doctor Who.
Armstrong is a bass-baritone singer and has released three studio albums.
Ancestry and early life
=Ancestry=
Descended from a North East landowning family, a distant ancestral relation William Armstrong was created Baron Armstrong in 1887.{{cite news |title=Interview: Alexander Armstrong, president of the Lit & Phil |url=http://www.journallive.co.uk/culture-newcastle/arts-news/2011/12/15/interview-alexander-armstrong-president-of-the-lit-phil-61634-29956824/ |newspaper=The Journal |date=15 December 2011 |access-date=20 November 2012 |archive-date=30 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530140923/http://www.journallive.co.uk/culture-newcastle/arts-news/2011/12/15/interview-alexander-armstrong-president-of-the-lit-phil-61634-29956824/ |url-status=dead }} Alexander's paternal grandfather was the rugby player and physician Rex Armstrong{{Cite news |date=2021-09-13 |title=Professor John Walker, physician who revolutionised the training of GPs – obituary |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2021/09/13/professor-john-walker-physician-revolutionised-training-gps/ |access-date=2025-03-17 |work=The Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235}} and his maternal grandparents were economist Lucius Thompson-McCausland,{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/comedy/8985374/Tough-and-tender-side-of-the-down-to-earth-comedian-Alexander-Armstrong.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120102095432/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/comedy/8985374/Tough-and-tender-side-of-the-down-to-earth-comedian-Alexander-Armstrong.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 January 2012 |title=Tough and tender side of the down-to-earth comedian Alexander Armstrong |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=2 January 2012 |last=Cooper |first=Glenda}} High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, and Helen Laura McCausland (6 April 1903 – February 2000), granddaughter of Captain Conolly Thomas McCausland (13 May 1828 – 25 June 1902), High Sheriff of County Londonderry, by his wife the Hon. Laura St John (12 June 1842 – 21 October 1919), daughter of the 15th Baron St John of Bletso. His McCausland ancestors held land at Drenagh in Limavady, County Londonderry from the 18c.{{cite web |url=http://www.bbcwhodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/episode/alexander-armstrong |title=Alexander Armstrong |work=Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine |publisher=BBC |access-date=24 August 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829054506/http://www.bbcwhodoyouthinkyouaremagazine.com/episode/alexander-armstrong |archive-date=29 August 2010}}
=Early life=
Alexander Henry Fenwick Armstrong was born at Rothbury Community Hospital in Rothbury, Northumberland, on 2 March 1970, and grew up in Longframlington,{{Cite web |last=Lambert |first=Andrew |date=2018-11-23 |title=Comedy star Ben Miller's acting appeal to Cramlington students |url=https://www.newsmakerpr.co.uk/comedy-star-ben-millers-acting-appeal-to-cramlington-students/ |access-date=2025-02-18 |website=Newsmaker PR |language=en-GB}} the youngest of three children, to physician Henry Angus Armstrong and Emma Virginia Peronnet (née Thompson-McCausland).{{Cite web |date=2016-10-12 |title=Pointless star Alexander Armstrong backs Rothbury hospital campaign |url=https://www.northumberlandgazette.co.uk/news/pointless-star-alexander-armstrong-backs-rothbury-hospital-campaign-404485 |access-date=2025-02-16 |website=Northumberland Gazette |language=en}} He was educated at Mowden Hall School in Stocksfield, and St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh, where he was a chorister at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral from the age of 11 to 13.{{cite news |title=Interview: Alexander Armstrong on bringing variety back to Saturday night TV |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/interview-alexander-armstrong-on-bringing-variety-back-to-saturday-night-tv-1-1778485 |newspaper=The Scotsman |date=26 July 2011}} He attended Durham School{{cite web |title=Durham |url=http://www.guidetoindependentschools.com/schools/view/134/Durham/HMC/Durham-School-Durham-City-DH1-4SZ |website=Guide to Independent Schools |access-date=30 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531110129/http://www.guidetoindependentschools.com/schools/view/134/Durham/HMC/Durham-School-Durham-City-DH1-4SZ |archive-date=31 May 2016 |url-status=dead}} and Trinity College, Cambridge, on music scholarships.{{cite news |title=Alexander Armstrong: can't curb his enthusiasm |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8635114/Alexander-Armstrong-cant-curb-his-enthusiasm.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/8635114/Alexander-Armstrong-cant-curb-his-enthusiasm.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=17 July 2011 |last=Farndale |first=Nigel |access-date=25 January 2016}}{{cbignore}} He played the piano – which has been seen in several The Armstrong & Miller Show sketches – and the cello, the latter which he dropped in favour of the "much more masculine" oboe.
At Cambridge Armstrong read English, graduating with a BA degree, and sang bass baritone as a choral scholar with the college choir.{{cite web |url=http://www.armstrongandmiller.co.uk/blurb.html |title=A Personal Introduction from Xander & Ben... |work=The Armstrong and Miller Show |access-date=18 August 2010 |quote=Alexander attended Mowden Hall Preparatory School in Northumberland where he picked up a lively interest in music and acting. So much so that he transferred at the age of 11 to St Mary's Music School in Edinburgh where he specialised in singing and playing the piano, the cello, and the giddy goat. He proceeded to Durham school on a music scholarship where he dropped the Cello in favour of the much more masculine Oboe but continued to hone his love of showing off. It was here that he first earned his nickname, Alexander "Three Ships" Armstrong. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100811064531/http://www.armstrongandmiller.co.uk/blurb.html |archive-date=11 August 2010}}{{cite news |title=My Secret Life: Alexander Armstrong, 42, comedian |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/my-secret-life-alexander-armstrong-42-comedian-8483768.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130211050222/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/my-secret-life-alexander-armstrong-42-comedian-8483768.html |archive-date=2013-02-11 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |date=8 February 2013 |access-date=25 January 2016 |last=Cooper |first=Charlie}} Armstrong joined the Footlights in his final year as part of the writing team for the 1992 revue and was Spooks creator David Wolstencroft's comedy partner.
Career
After graduating in 1992, Armstrong moved to London with friends to pursue a career in acting and comedy. While waiting for acting roles, he worked in several north London bars and restaurants. He was eventually introduced to Ben Miller, who had also moved to London, through Jez Butterworth.{{cite news |first=Gerard |last=Gilbert |title=Pedigree Chum: Is Alexander Armstrong the poshest man in comedy? |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/pedigree-chum-is-alexander-armstrong-the-poshest-man-in-comedy-7543987.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120311054838/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/comedy/features/pedigree-chum-is-alexander-armstrong-the-poshest-man-in-comedy-7543987.html |archive-date=2012-03-11 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |newspaper=The Independent |date=10 March 2012 |access-date=29 January 2016}} In 1996, Armstrong and Miller performed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and were nominated for the Perrier Award.
=Comedy=
Armstrong and Miller co-starred in four series of Armstrong and Miller from 1997 to 2001, while also performing sketches in The Sunday Format. The duo decided to take a break and split for several years to forge their own solo careers. Armstrong renewed his partnership with Ben Miller for the award-winning The Armstrong and Miller Show in 2007.{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_armstrong_and_miller_show/|title=The Armstrong & Miller Show – BBC1 Sketch Show|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|website=British Comedy Guide}} The Armstrong and Miller Book was released in October 2010.{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/the_armstrong_and_miller_show/shop/2091/the_armstrong_miller_book_book/|title=The Armstrong & Miller Book Book|website=British Comedy Guide}}
Armstrong appeared in BBC Radio 4's The Very World of Milton Jones, broadcast between 1998 and 2001. He narrated the animated cartoon series The Big Knights in 1999; it first appeared on BBC1 that Christmas. That same year he also starred as Prince Charming in ITV's Christmas pantomime, alongside Ben Miller, Samantha Janus, Paul Merton, Harry Hill, Frank Skinner and Ronnie Corbett. Between early 2000 and early 2001, Armstrong starred as a misanthropic, animal-hating vet in the BBC One sitcom Beast, and he has also been the star of a series of TV commercials for Pimm's.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
On BBC Radio 4, Armstrong played John Weak in the office sitcom Weak at the Top. He also played Martin Baine-Jones for the Times Online's Timeghost podcast. Between September and November 2010, Armstrong took The Armstrong and Miller Show on tour in the UK, completing 62 dates. This was the second time The Armstrong and Miller Show had toured, the first tour being in autumn 2001.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}
=Television presenting=
On 1 September 2006, Armstrong was chairman of the short-lived Channel 4 panel show Best of the Worst which featured team captains David Mitchell and Johnny Vaughan. Armstrong presented the short-lived ITV1 quiz series Don't Call Me Stupid, in which mismatched celebrities taught each other a subject they are passionate about before facing a studio quiz on their new topic. He has been a frequent guest host on the BBC's satirical Have I Got News for You, having appeared 32 times; he has, to date, made the most appearances of any guest, whether as host or panellist.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/4347341.stm |title=Armstrong upset over TV quiz job |work=BBC News |date=14 March 2005 |access-date=29 January 2016}} In 2008, he was the presenter and narrator for When Were We Funniest? and was the only person to feature in all 12 episodes.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3213200/Alexander-Armstrong-accepted-job-as-new-Countdown-host.html |title=Alexander Armstrong 'accepted job as new Countdown host' |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |date=17 October 2008 |location=London |first=Chris |last=Irvine |access-date=23 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100524161108/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/celebritynews/3213200/Alexander-Armstrong-accepted-job-as-new-Countdown-host.html |archive-date=24 May 2010}} Armstrong in The Independent was reported to not want to be "pigeonholed" as a presenter, preferring to focus on acting and comedy.{{cite news |newspaper=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/armstrong-turns-down-countdown-job-980252.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225181146/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/armstrong-turns-down-countdown-job-980252.html |archive-date=2008-12-25 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |title=Armstrong turns down 'Countdown' job |date=31 October 2008 |location=London |first=Amol |last=Rajan |access-date=23 April 2010}}
Armstrong has been the presenter of the BBC One game show Pointless, initially with former Cambridge University friend Richard Osman, since it began in 2009.{{cite web |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2018-02-05/pointless-richard-osman-alexander-armstrong/ |title=Pointless star Richard Osman explains why he and Alexander Armstrong work so well together |website=radiotimes.com |date=5 February 2018 |access-date=2020-06-04}} He also presented a documentary, Alexander Armstrong's Very British Holiday, for the BBC on 8 November 2009 about the history of the "great British summer holiday" and his attempts to explore its modern version. On 30 May 2011, Armstrong hosted the pilot for a new panel show, Alexander Armstrong's Big Ask for Dave with Dave Lamb, Katy Brand, Griff Rhys Jones and Robert Webb. After a positive response to the pilot, Dave commissioned the first series, which first aired on 6 February 2012. In July 2011, Armstrong became a co-presenter on BBC One's The Great British Weather. In August 2011, he began presenting Epic Win on BBC One.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b012f6pl |title=BBC One – Epic Win |website=Bbc.co.uk |access-date=2020-04-16}}
In 2012–2013, Armstrong co-hosted ITV series Prize Island with Emma Willis.{{cite web |title=Alexander Armstrong for 'Prize Island' |work=digitalspy.com |date=10 July 2012 |access-date=21 January 2020 |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a392525/alexander-armstrong-emma-willis-for-new-game-show-prize-island/}} On 3 January 2015, Armstrong and Rochelle Humes co-hosted entertainment special Frank Sinatra: Our Way on BBC One.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2014/frank-sinatra-our-way |title=Alexander Armstrong and Rochelle Humes to host BBC One's Frank Sinatra: Our Way |work=BBC |access-date=29 January 2016 |year=2014}}
On 1 June 2015, Armstrong presented a documentary, Rome's Invisible City, which used 3D scanning technology to discover the underground spaces below the city.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05xxl4t |title=Rome's Invisible City |publisher=BBC One |access-date=29 January 2016}} Subsequently, it was announced he would be making a three-part series exploring the lost and hidden sites of Florence, Naples, and Venice.{{cite web |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-08-26/alexander-armstrong-to-reveal-italys-invisible-cities |title=Alexander Armstrong to reveal Italy's Invisible Cities |work=Radio Times |date=26 August 2015 |access-date=29 January 2016}}
In 2015, Armstrong presented a three-part factual series for ITV, called Alexander Armstrong in the Land of the Midnight Sun, in which he travelled half-way round the Arctic Circle meeting its inhabitants and exploring their ways of life.{{cite web |url=https://www.itv.com/presscentre/press-packs/alexander-armstrong-land-midnight-sun |title=Alexander Armstrong in the Land of the Midnight Sun |work=ITV Press Centre |date=30 September 2015 |access-date=29 January 2016}} In January 2016, he guest-presented Bruce's Hall of Fame on BBC One.
In 2017, Armstrong presented Don't Ask Me Ask Britain and Teach My Pet to Do That, both on ITV.
=Singing and music=
After over a decade in television and comedy, Armstrong returned to his musical roots and put together his own cover band,{{cite web |title=Alexander Armstrong |url=https://alexanderarmstrong.org/ |access-date=30 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160219163743/https://alexanderarmstrong.org/ |archive-date=19 February 2016}} which plays a wide range of music from jazz to rock to pop classics. A classically trained bass baritone, he is the vocalist and is backed up by Harry the Piano on keyboards,{{cite web |title=Meet Harry the Piano |url=http://www.classicfm.com/radio/shows/alexander-armstrong/harry-the-piano |work=Classic FM |access-date=29 January 2016}} Simon Bates on woodwind, Jeff Lardner on drums and Dave Swift on bass.{{cite news |title=Alexander Armstrong and his Band Celebrate the Great British Songbook, St James's Theatre, review |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/10411611/Alexander-Armstrong-and-his-Band-Celebrate-the-Great-British-Songbook-St-Jamess-Theatre-review.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/live-music-reviews/10411611/Alexander-Armstrong-and-his-Band-Celebrate-the-Great-British-Songbook-St-Jamess-Theatre-review.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=29 October 2013 |access-date=29 January 2016 |last=Shilling |first=Jane}}{{cbignore}} The band's first tour ran from 19 September to 6 November 2013.
Armstrong mainly sang at his local parish church services or at weddings, away from the public eye.{{cite news |title=Comic Alexander Armstrong is in fine voice |url=http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/leisure/theatre/10770112.Comic_Alexander_Armstrong_is_in_fine_voice/?ref=ms |work=The Oxford Times |date=31 October 2013 |access-date=29 January 2016 |last=MacAlister |first=Katherine}} Armstrong impersonated Susan Boyle's Britain's Got Talent rendition of "I Dreamed a Dream" in the show Your Face Sounds Familiar and surprised the judges by singing in falsetto.{{cite news |title=Your Face Sounds Familiar: Natalie wins but Alexander steals show as Subo |url=http://shows.stv.tv/talk-tv/235109-your-face-sounds-familiar-natalie-wins-but-alexander-steals-show-as-subo/ |publisher=STV |date=5 August 2013 |access-date=29 January 2016}} He sang "Winter Wonderland" during the celebrities Christmas special of Pointless and "No Rhyme for Richard" from Blondel in BBC Two's Tim Rice: A Life in Song{{cite web |title=Tim Rice: A Life in Song |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04w7rmj |publisher=BBC |date=25 December 2014}} and collaborated with the Sixteen to record the single "Good King Wenceslas" to raise funds for the charity Crisis.{{cite news |title=Alexander Armstrong joins The Sixteen for Good King Wenceslas charity single |url=http://www.classicfm.com/artists/sixteen/news/alexander-armstrong-good-king-wenceslas |work=Classif FM |date=8 December 2014 |access-date=29 January 2016}}
Since September 2014, Armstrong has presented the Saturday afternoon programme on the classical radio station Classic FM.{{cite news |title=Katherine Jenkins and Alexander Armstrong join Classic FM's weekend lineup |url=http://www.classicfm.com/music-news/latest-news/katherine-jenkins-alexander-armstrong/ |work=Classic FM |last=Weinberg |first=Rob |date=22 September 2014 |access-date=29 January 2016}} He now also presents the mid-morning show on weekdays between 10 am and 1 pm.{{cite web |title=About Alexander Armstrong |url=http://www.classicfm.com/radio/shows/alexander-armstrong/about-alexander-armstrong/ |work=Classic FM |date=29 January 2016 |access-date=3 March 2025}}
Armstrong participated in VE Day 70: A Party to Remember on 9 May 2015, a televised commemorative concert from Horse Guards Parade in London, where he sang "We Must All Stick Together" by Ralph Butler and Raymond Wallace, and "London Pride", a patriotic song by Noël Coward.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02p6wp8 |title=VE Day 70 – A Party to Remember |publisher=BBC |date=31 May 2015 |access-date=29 January 2016}} He sang in Songs of Praise: The Big Sing, broadcast on 20 September 2015, a special programme from the Royal Albert Hall to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II becoming the world's longest-serving monarch, singing "I Would Be True".{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06drdzl |title=Songs of Praise – Tribute to a Queen – The Big Sing |publisher=BBC |date=20 September 2015 |access-date=29 January 2016}}
On 6 November 2015, Armstrong released his debut solo vocal album, A Year of Songs, on Warner Music Group's East West Records label. It reached number six on the UK Albums Chart in its first week and topped the UK Classical Chart, the first time a comedian/actor has reached number 1 in that chart.{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/alexander-armstrong-pointless-year-of-songs-album-charts/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/alexander-armstrong-pointless-year-of-songs-album-charts/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Comedian Alexander Armstrong tops the classical charts |date=13 November 2015 |work=The Telegraph |last=Saunder |first=Tristram Fane |access-date=29 January 2016}}{{cbignore}} In January and February 2016 he carried out a 9-date UK tour with his band.{{cite web |url=http://www.broadwayworld.com/westend/article/Alexander-Armstrong-Releases-Album-Announces-Tour-20150916 |title=Alexander Armstrong Releases Album, Announces Tour |date=16 September 2015 |website=BroadwayWorld.com}}
In June 2016 he began recording his second album, Upon a Different Shore, which was released on 28 October.{{cite web |publisher=YouTube |title=Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman on the Success of Pointless {{!}} Good Morning Britain|date=23 June 2016|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Myd_FtvQodg|access-date=23 June 2016}} It reached number eight on the UK Albums Chart.{{cite web | url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/albums-chart/20161104/7502/ | title=Official Albums Chart on 4/11/2016 | website=Official Charts }}
In December 2017, he narrated Prokofiev's Peter and the Wolf for children. Armstrong's version was recorded under the Warner Classics label with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra.{{cite web | url=https://www.warnerclassics.com/release/peter-and-wolf | title=Peter and the Wolf | Warner Classics | date=28 September 2017 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/peter-and-the-wolf-mw0003094165 | title=Peter and the Wolf - Alexander Armstrong, Vasi... | AllMusic | website=AllMusic }}
A third studio album, In a Winter Light, was released in November 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.classicfm.com/music-news/alexander-armstrong-in-a-winter-light/|title=New Releases: Alexander Armstrong's 'In A Winter Light'|website=Classic FM|language=en|access-date=2019-04-23}}
Other work
In 1997, Armstrong and Ben Miller provided the voices for lead characters for the PC game Wings of Destiny, published by Psygnosis in 2000, as British airmen and Nazi officers covering the two comic-book plots in the game. From 2002 to 2009, Armstrong appeared in a series of British television adverts for the drink Pimm's.{{cite web |last=Kemp |first=Ed |url=http://www.marketingmagazine.co.uk/news/916329/Pimms-drops-comedian-Alexander-Armstrong-seven-years |title=Pimm's drops comedian Alexander Armstrong after seven years |work=Marketing Magazine |publisher=Haymarket |date=26 June 2009 |access-date=27 March 2013}} With Miller, he has formed a production company called Toff Media.{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/pro/blackbook/companies/toff_media/|title=Toff Media – BCG Pro|first=British Comedy|last=Guide|website=British Comedy Guide}}
In 2002, Armstrong provided the voice for the character Horse in the English dub of the series A Town Called Panic.{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0298495/ | title=Panique au village | website=IMDb }}
In 2009, Armstrong portrayed the British microcomputer innovator Clive Sinclair in the BBC docu-drama Micro Men. Set in the early 1980s, the film focused on the semi-broken friendship and rivalry between Clive Sinclair and Acorn Computers head Chris Curry when both companies were angling for the lucrative BBC computer literacy deal. Micro Men was directed by Saul Metzstein, and starred Armstrong opposite Martin Freeman as Chris Curry.
A book based on Armstrong's show Pointless, titled The 100 Most Pointless Things in the World, was published in the UK in October 2012 by Coronet, an imprint of Hodder & Stoughton. It was written by Armstrong and his Pointless co-host, Richard Osman.{{cite book | url=https://www.hodder.co.uk/titles/alexander-armstrong-2/the-100-most-pointless-things-in-the-world/9781444762051/ | isbn=978-1-4447-6205-1 | title=The 100 Most Pointless Things in the World | date=25 April 2019 | last1=Armstrong | first1=Alexander | last2=Osman | first2=Richard | publisher=Coronet }}
Also, in 2012, Armstrong was the voice of Professor M for the animation breaks for the McLaren F1 team, with the animations called Tooned (also featuring the voices of Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button) broadcast on Sky Sports F1.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}
In 2013, Armstrong and Miller appeared in the television advertising campaign for Spitfire Ale.{{cite web |work=Shepherd Neame |url=http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/blog/spitfire-announces-armstrong-miller-partnership |title=Spitfire Announces Armstrong & Miller Partnership |date=1 March 2013 |access-date=29 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307071119/http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/blog/spitfire-announces-armstrong-miller-partnership |archive-date=7 March 2016 |url-status=dead}}
In 2014, Armstrong provided the narrator's voice for CBeebies animation Hey Duggee. In September 2014, it was announced that Armstrong would succeed David Jason as the voice of Danger Mouse in the 2015 revival of the 1980s animated series. Armstrong has done other voiceover work, including Mr Wolf and Captain Dog in Peppa Pig.{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4291050/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_8_act | title=Hey Duggee | website=IMDb }}
In 2019, Armstrong also cameoed in Horrible Histories: The Movie as Procurator Catus Decianus.{{cite web | url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7715070/?ref_=nm_flmg_t_3_act | title=Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans | website=IMDb }}
In January 2024, Armstrong participated in the fifth series of The Masked Singer UK as the character "Chicken Caesar". He was eliminated and unmasked in the second episode.{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/chicken-caesar-unmasked-the-masked-singer-uk-b2474381.html|title=Chicken Caesar's identity revealed on The Masked Singer in latest episode|date=6 January 2024|work=The Independent|access-date=7 January 2024}}
Honours
In December 2015, Armstrong was awarded an honorary doctorate from Northumbria University.{{cite news |url=http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/north-east-news/north-east-tv-stars-join-10564288 |title=North East TV stars join graduates at Northumbria University receiving honorary degrees |first=Laura |last=Hill |date=7 December 2015 |newspaper=Evening Chronicle |access-date=27 October 2017}}{{cite news |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/northdurham/14131992.University_honours_for_Jeremy_Paxman_and_Alexander_Armstrong/ |title=University honours for Jeremy Paxman and Alexander Armstrong |date=8 December 2015 |first=Tony |last=Kearney |newspaper=The Northern Echo |access-date=27 October 2017}}
In 2017, he was made president of the P. G. Wodehouse Society (UK).https://www.pgwodehousesociety.org.uk/
Personal life
On 27 August 2003, Armstrong married Hannah Bronwen Snow; they have four sons.{{cite web |title=Life is sweet for Alex |work=Manchester Evening News |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/special_reports/m2002/s/146/146169_life_is_sweet_for_alex.html |date=14 February 2005 |access-date=29 January 2016}}{{cite news |title=The 5-minute Interview: Alexander Armstrong, Comedian and presenter |newspaper=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/the-5minute-interview-alexander-armstrong-comedian-and-presenter-401304.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206012714/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/the-5minute-interview-alexander-armstrong-comedian-and-presenter-401304.html |archive-date=2008-12-06 |url-access=limited |url-status=live |date=4 September 2007 |location=London |access-date=23 April 2010 |last=Daly |first=Claire}}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/feb/01/alexander-armstrong |newspaper=The Guardian |title=My body & soul: Alexander Armstrong |date=1 February 2009 |location=London |access-date=23 April 2010 |first=Laura |last=Potter}}
In July 2014 they moved from North Kensington, west London, to a {{convert|26|acre|adj=on}} farm in Bledington in Gloucestershire near the Oxfordshire border.{{cite web |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/050de452-40e6-11e3-ae19-00144feabdc0.html |title=A walk with the FT: The Bledington route |work=Financial Times |access-date=25 January 2016 |date=1 November 2013 |last=Taylor |first=Jeremy}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/17300670.pointless-star-local-resident-alexander-armstrong-makes-christmas-special/|title=A Father's Christmas: Oxford's Alexander Armstrong talks Christmas, family and his festive TV special|website=Oxford Mail|date=15 December 2018 }}{{Cite news|url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/alexander-armstrong-call-of-the-wild-tjh6lprvm8q|title=Alexander Armstrong: call of the wild |first=Alexander |last=Armstrong |date=26 October 2014 |via=www.thetimes.co.uk}}{{subscription required}}
In February 2011, Armstrong became President of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne, launching a million-pound appeal at a special gala event.{{cite web |url=http://www.litandphil.org.uk/appeal.shtml |title=Lit & Phil Appeal |publisher=The Literary & Philosophical Society |date=7 February 2011 |access-date=22 May 2012 |archive-date=11 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611063346/http://www.litandphil.org.uk/appeal.shtml |url-status=dead }} He is a patron of several charities, including Family Links,{{cite web |url=https://familylinks.org.uk/who-we-are#patrons/ |title=Patrons |work=Family Links |access-date=29 January 2016}} the Charlie Waller Memorial Trust{{cite web |url=http://www.cwmt.org.uk/aboutus/whos-who/ |title=Who's Who |work=Charlie Waller Memorial Trust |access-date=29 January 2016}} and Just A Drop.{{cite web |url=http://www.justadrop.org/11909/ |title='Pointless' Host – Alexander Armstrong – is New Patron of Just a Drop |work=Just A Drop |date=6 March 2014 |access-date=29 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221061323/http://www.justadrop.org/11909/ |archive-date=21 February 2016 |df=dmy-all}}
Politics
In an interview with The Independent in March 2012, Armstrong spoke of his support for the rural campaigning organisation the Countryside Alliance, saying: "I'd like people to be honest about what they don't like about country sports because if it's actually the people you don't like, then I'd much rather they would actually just say that." He has appeared in their advertisements and magazine to promote countryside shooting. He said that his family had traditionally voted for the Liberal Democrats. Armstrong described himself as a "floating voter", stating "I'm not greatly impressed by party politics, but I am by individual people. I'm a centrist, and very suspicious of any tribalism."
In August 2014 Armstrong was one of 200 public figures who were signatories to a letter to The Guardian expressing their hope that Scotland would vote to remain part of the United Kingdom in September's referendum on that issue.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/aug/07/celebrities-open-letter-scotland-independence-full-text |title=Celebrities' open letter to Scotland – full text and list of signatories |work=The Guardian |date=7 August 2014 |access-date=26 August 2014}}
In 2017 Armstrong urged the UK Government to do more to support music education[https://wcom.org.uk/ www.wcom.org.uk] and therapy, saying "in the weft and weave of politics I think these sorts of human stories get shoved to one side, but we have to make sure they are right up front and centre. It's not all about Brexit."{{cite web | url= https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/entertainment/film-tv/news/alexander-armstrong-government-needs-to-support-music-education-and-therapy-35840864.html | title= Alexander Armstrong: Government needs to support music education and therapy | work=Belfast Telegraph | date=19 June 2017 | access-date=13 April 2021}}
In 2020 Armstrong signed a letter in support of the LGB Alliance, to "stand in solidarity" with JK Rowling.{{cite web | url= https://www.thepinknews.com/2020/09/28/jk-rowling-solidarity-open-letter-alexander-armstrong-ben-miller-graham-linehan/ | title= Pointless host Alexander Armstrong and Death in Paradise star Ben Miller 'stand in solidarity' with JK Rowling | work=Pink News | date=28 September 2020 | access-date=3 February 2025}}
In 2024 Armstrong voiced his opposition to tax being placed on private schools, reporting that he wants the best for his children. In the same interview, he voiced opposition to inheritance tax being placed on farmers, reporting "We're farmers, of farming stock. We're very much affected [by the changes]." {{cite web | url= https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/authors/alexander-armstrong-interview/ | title= 'Alexander Armstrong: I'm really angry about Starmer's private school tax – and extremely poor' | work= Telegraph | date= 6 March 2025 | access-date= 7 March 2025}}
Filmography
=Television=
==Non-presenting roles==
==Presenting roles==
=Film=
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Year | Work | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | There's No Business... | Tim | Starring Raw Sex |
| 1999 | Plunkett & Macleane | Winterburn | |
| 2001 | Birthday Girl | Robert Moseley | |
| 2005 | Match Point | Mr Townsend | |
| 2006 | Scoop | Unnamed policeman | Guest appearance |
| 2009 | Skellig | Mr Hunt | |
| 2010 | Jackboots on Whitehall | Red Leader | |
| 2019 | Horrible Histories: The Movie – Rotten Romans | Catus Decianus |
=Radio=
- December 1998 – Children's Hour with Armstrong and Miller (BBC Radio 4)
- 2005–2006 – Weak at the Top (BBC Radio 4)
- July 2006 – Private Passions (BBC Radio 3){{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/privatepassions/pip/r5463 |title=Private Passions |publisher=BBC |date=26 August 2007 |access-date=27 March 2013}}
- June 2020 – Hall of Fame (Classic FM)
Video games
- 2000 – Team Buddies
- 2003 – Hidden & Dangerous 2
Discography
=Studio albums=
Bibliography
=As author=
Fiction
- {{cite book|last=Armstrong|first=Alexander|year=2024|title=Evenfall: The Golden Linnet|publisher=Farshore|isbn=978-0008551582}}
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
{{Commons category|Alexander Armstrong}}
- {{twitter|xanderarmstrong}}
- {{IMDb name|0035602}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20200101174141/https://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2bb0aa2466 Alexander Armstrong] at the British Film Institute{{better source needed|reason=Help request: a live link can be searched for at https://collections-search.bfi.org.uk/web/search/expert – if available, replace the archive URL with the live link. Or if none found, remove this 'better source needed' template. | date=October 2023}}
- {{British Comedy Guide|people|alexander_armstrong}}
- [http://alexanderarmstrong.org/ Alexander Armstrong: A Year Of Songs – Live] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151118043626/https://alexanderarmstrong.org/ |date=18 November 2015 }}
- [https://www.classicfm.com/radio/shows-presenters/alexander-armstrong/ Alexander Armstrong on Classic FM]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Armstrong, Alexander}}
Category:20th-century English comedians
Category:21st-century English comedians
Category:Alumni of Trinity College, Cambridge
Category:BBC television presenters
Category:Comedians from Northumberland
Category:English sketch comedians
Category:English game show hosts
Category:English male comedians
Category:English male television actors
Category:English male voice actors
Category:English people of Irish descent
Category:English television presenters
Category:Male actors from Northumberland
Category:People educated at Durham School