Born Matthew Hall on October 1, 1964 in Woking, England, Harry Hill, one of the UK's finest, original comics, has already established his comedy trademarks - the outrageously huge shirt collars and the catchphrase: "What are the chances of that happening?" He is the voice of the show You've Been Framed and his own, highly original comedy take is aptly exploited in Avalon's satirical Harry Hill's TV Burp broadcast on ITV. The website describes the show, which focusses largely on the previous week's television, as "interweaving running gags, inventive use of music, short films and far-fetched yarns."
Harry Hill Burps No More, says Online News Report
On September 29, 2011, the Mail Online reported that the 46-year-old comedian had decided, after nine successful years hosting his TV Burp, to leave the show, allegedly turning down a £1million payrise, which would have increased his earning power to around £4million.
The awful truth is revealed in the Online Mail article - that Harry Hill hated what he was doing, that he found it a "drag" and that it had almost driven him to suicide. A "source" told the Mail Online that Hill had told the Sun newspaper: "One year I did 21 shows - most series are only eight. At the end of it, I was completely mental." Part of the problem was the amount of television the star had to watch in order to select material for his show. He watched day and night until he was sick of it. So, although the show was run for an additional period at the beginning of 2012, its fate, after that series finishes, hangs in the balance.
On a more positive note, in October 2012 a new series begins.This is a prank show deploying hidden cameras, promisingly named Fool Britannia. It is expected to run on Saturday evenings over about eight nights.
Harry Hill ~ Awards and Projects
As a result of his success, the comedian has received numerous awards, nominations and accolades, including three Baftas, three Royal Television Society Awards and four British Comedy Awards.
Hill is nothing if not resourceful. He has published a children's book, Tim the Tiny Horse, followed by a sequel, Tim the Tiny Horse at Large, as well as The Further Adventures of the Queen Mum.
There's also a TV Burps Book and two DVDs. He now plans to write jokes for Simon Cowell's hit show The X-Factor.
Harry Hill is the father of three children.
Sources:
- Mail Online. Harry Hill Quits TV Burp September 29, 2011. Accessed January 23, 2012.
- TV Burp Website Accessed January 23, 2012.
- The Independent Movie Database Accessed January 23, 2012
Janet Cameron - MA. Cert.Ed. is a retired university lecturer and author of twelve books, women's short fiction and a magazine column.
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