Al Murray

Is a self confessed history fanatic.

Direct descendant of William Makepeace Thackeray. Murrays education was actually paid for by the sale of many of Thackerays letters possessed by his parents.

His show, The Pub Landlord -- My Gaff, My Rules performed in 2001 at the Playhouse in London was nominated for a 2002 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best Entertainment.

Is a history graduate of St Edmund Hall, Oxford University.

Is a huge fan of Genesis. He has named Genesis at Wembley Stadium in 1987 as the best concert he has been to and their 1977 live album "Seconds Out" as one of his favourite recordings.

Is a very talented drummer. One of his favourite players is Phil Collins.

Plays guitar. The first riff he learned was "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple.

He has named his favorite albums as Led Zeppelin I, Led Zeppelin II and Led Zeppelin III.

Great-nephew of "The Navy Lark" star Stephen Murray.

(November 2003) Currently touring Britain with his "Pub Landlord" routine.