Neil Morrissey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Neil Morrissey
Morrissey in 2011
Born	Neil Anthony Morrissey (1962-07-04) 4 July 1962 (age 63) Stafford, Staffordshire, England
Occupation	Actor businessman narrator presenter
Years active	1983–present
Notable work	Men Behaving Badly Bob the Builder Waterloo Road
Spouse(s)	Amanda Noar ​ ​ (m. 1987; div. 1991)​
Partner(s)	Amanda Holden (2000–2002)
Children	1

Neil Anthony Morrissey (born 4 July 1962) is a famous English actor, businessman, narrator, and presenter. He is best known for playing Tony in the popular TV show Men Behaving Badly. He also voiced the main character, Bob, and other characters like Lofty and Roley in the children's series Bob the Builder. You might also know him from his roles as Deputy Head Eddie Lawson in Waterloo Road and Nigel Morton in Line of Duty.

Early life and acting dreams

Neil Morrissey was born on July 4, 1962, in Stafford, England. He was one of four sons. Neil spent some of his childhood in foster homes, including Penkhull Children's Home.

He went to Thistley Hough High School, where he discovered his love for acting. His teacher, Sheila Steele, really encouraged him. He continued to study acting at the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College. Neil also performed in local theatre groups and at the famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival when he was a teenager.

His acting skills helped him get into the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, a top acting school. While there, he even started a street theatre act with a friend. This helped him begin his professional acting career.

Neil Morrissey's acting career

Neil Morrissey has had a long and successful acting career, appearing in many films and TV shows.

Early roles and big breaks

In 1984, Neil made his first film appearance in The Bounty, acting alongside big stars like Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins. In 1987, he became well-known for playing Rocky, a biker, in the ITV drama series Boon. He also starred in the spoof horror film I Bought a Vampire Motorcycle in 1990.

A huge moment in his career came in 1992 when he joined the cast of Men Behaving Badly as Tony. This show became one of the most popular British sitcoms of the 1990s, making Neil a national celebrity.

Voice acting and music success

Neil Morrissey is also famous for his voice work, especially for children's shows. From 1999 to 2011, he voiced the main character, Bob, and other characters like Lofty and Roley in the hit children's TV series Bob the Builder.

As Bob the Builder, Neil even had two songs reach number one in the UK music charts! "Can We Fix It?" was the Christmas number one in 2000, and "Mambo No. 5" topped the charts in 2001. He also narrated other children's shows like Morph and Maisy.

More TV and film roles

Throughout the 2000s and beyond, Neil continued to appear in many TV dramas and comedies. He starred in the drama series Paradise Heights and the BBC sitcom Carrie and Barry.

In 2007, he joined the cast of Waterloo Road as the new deputy headteacher, Eddie Lawson. He also appeared in the popular British TV show Skins. From 2012 to 2016, he played DC Nigel Morton in the crime drama Line of Duty.

More recently, Neil has played Greg McConnell in ITV's The Good Karma Hospital from 2017 to 2022. He also appeared in Unforgotten in 2018 and The Syndicate in 2021. In 2023, he acted in a humorous play called The Crown Jewels in London.

Theatre work

Neil has also performed in many plays in London's West End, which is famous for its theatres. Some of his notable theatre roles include performances in Speed, Robin Hood, and A Passionate Woman. He also appeared in the musical adaptation of Acorn Antiques and took on the role of Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls.

The spoof show

On April 1, 2006, a TV show called Neil Morrissey's Secret aired on BBC Three. This was a "spoof" programme, which means it was a fake documentary made to trick people, especially because it was April Fool's Day! The show pretended that Neil had a secret life in Jordan with a family and a degree in botany. It even claimed he invented a special anti-ageing cream. Even though it was a joke, some people actually believed it was true!

Business ventures

Neil Morrissey has also been involved in business. He once owned several properties in the village of Laugharne in Wales, including Brown's Hotel. He also part-owned a pub called Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn in North Yorkshire. From this pub, he helped create the "Morrissey Fox" range of real ales. Later, he owned a chain of pubs in Staffordshire, including The Plume of Feathers and The Old Bramshall Inn.

Personal life

Neil Morrissey has a son, who was born in 1989.

In 2006, he received an honorary degree from Staffordshire University. Neil is a big fan of the football club Crystal Palace. In 2011, he even helped create a special beer for the club called "Palace Ale."

Filmography

Film

Television

Discography

Studio albums

Singles

Images for kids

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  Ye Olde Punch Bowl Inn, a pub Neil Morrissey was involved with.

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  The Plume of Feathers in Barlaston, another pub Neil Morrissey owned.