Alexei David Sayle is a British comedian,
actor and ex-Communist. He was a central part of the
alternative comedy circuit in the early Eighties.
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.
Sayle 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.
Sayle'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.
Sayle 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. |
