Craig Charles

Craig Charles is an English actor, author, poet, presenter, comedian, and DJ. He was born on July 11, 1964, to a Guyanese father and Irish mother. His place of birth is Liverpool, England, United Kingdom. He is better known by his family name Craig Joseph Charles. His older brother, Dean died in 2014. He has two younger brothers, Jimmy and Emile. He lives in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. His major works include his role of Dave Lister in the science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf and Lloyd Mullaney in the soap opera Coronation Street. Craig Charles completed his schooling at West Derby Comprehensive School. Further, he went on to study A-levels in History, English Literature, Government & Politics, and General Studies at Childwall Hall College. When Craig Charles was 12, he won a national competition.

After completing his education, he spent time working in a studio at Central Hall on Renshaw Street in Liverpool. He says he never had any career plans. The philosophy of his life is “Anything which doesn’t destroy you, strengthens you.” Craig Charles married Jackie Fleming on August 9, 1999. They have two daughters named, Anna-Jo and Nellie. He was previously married to actress Cathy Tyson, with whom he has a son named Jack. Craig Charles started his career in the British cabaret circuit as a contemporary and urban performance poet. In 1981, he recited a humorous poem about the band’s singer, Julian Cope, on stage. Further, Craig Charles performed as a support act in pubs and clubs for the following three years.

He performed at events such as the Larks in the Park music festival at Sefton Park in 1982, and at Liverpool’s Everyman Theatre in 1983 with poets such as Roger McGough and Adrian Henri. Craig Charles was associated with various local rock bands. In 1980, he played keyboards & bass and provided a voice in the rock band Watt 4. He performed his poem on the John Peel BBC Radio show in 1983. He recorded again in 1984. Further, he went on to use the humor of his poetry in stand-up comedy. He performed in the Red Wedge comedy tour in 1986 and did a one-person show the same year. Craig Charles toured internationally and was a regular panelist on Ned Sherrin’s chat show Loose Ends on BBC Radio 4. Craig Charles played the role of ‘Eddie’ in the film Business as Usual.

He featured in two British feature films: Fated and Clubbing to Death. Further, he voiced Zipper the Cat in the animation Prince Cinders (1993) and Asterix in Asterix Conquers America (1994). Also, he went on to release a comedy magazine in 1994. He has written columns for the Time Out magazine, the Liverpool newspaper. Moreover, his television writing credits include “The Easter Stories” in 1994, “Funky Baker” in 1997, and “Takeshi’s Castle” in 2002.