Neil Hurst (born 5 June 1982) is an English actor and presenter born in

Halifax, West Yorkshire Halifax is a town in the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale, in West Yorkshire, England. It is in the eastern foothills of the Pennines. In the 15th century, the town became an economic hub of the old West Riding of Yorkshire, primarily in woo ...

, best known for his television and stage theatre career.

Early life

Hurst was educated at

The Brooksbank School The Brooksbank School is a secondary school with academy status in Elland, near Halifax in West Yorkshire, England. It is a sports college, as well as the second largest school in Calderdale, behind Trinity Academy, located in Sowerby Brid ...

and attended the

University of Huddersfield The University of Huddersfield is a public research university located in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, England. It has been a University since 1992, but has its origins in a series of institutions dating back to the 19th century. It has made te ...

Film and television career

Hurst first gained prominence on British television as the comic sidekick of

Vernon Kay Vernon Charles Kay (born 28 April 1974) is an English broadcaster and former model. He presented Channel 4's ''T4'' (2000–2005) and has presented various television shows for ITV, including '' All Star Family Fortunes'' (2006–2015), ''Ju ...

on ITV's '' All Star Family Fortunes'', but his career has seen him appear in many other TV roles from drama to comedy and even presenting. His TV credits include Benny Grew in the 2018 adaptation of

Agatha Christie Dame Agatha Mary Clarissa Christie, Lady Mallowan, (; 15 September 1890 – 12 January 1976) was an English people, English author known for her 66 detective novels and 14 short story collections, particularly those revolving ...

's '' The A.B.C. Murders'', Baz in ''

Coronation Street ''Coronation Street'' (colloquially referred to as ''Corrie'') is a British television soap opera created by ITV Granada, Granada Television and shown on ITV (TV network), ITV since 9 December 1960. The programme centres on a cobbled, terraced ...

'', Ray Glossop in ''

Doctors Doctor, Doctors, The Doctor or The Doctors may refer to: Titles and occupations * Physician, a medical practitioner * Doctor (title), an academic title for the holder of a doctoral-level degree ** Doctorate ** List of doctoral degrees awarded b ...

'', Peter in '' Fresh Meat'', Frank in ''

The Syndicate ''The Syndicate'' is a British television drama series. It was written by Kay Mellor and is broadcast on BBC One. It sees five members of a betting syndicate win the lottery. Each series follows a different syndicate. The first series is se ...

'' and Gary Plunkett in ''Home From Home''. In addition to this he has appeared in small cameo roles in ''

Casualty Casualty may refer to: *Casualty (person), a person who is killed or rendered unfit for service in a war or natural disaster **Civilian casualty, a non-combatant killed or injured in warfare * The emergency department of a hospital, also known as ...

'', '' Moving On'' and ''

4 O'Clock Club ''4 O'Clock Club'' is a British comedy drama and musical children's television series set in a secondary school, which premiered on 13 January 2012 on CBBC. Background In March 2011, auditions were held for ''4 O'Clock Club'', and the show was ...

''. In 2019, Hurst began appearing as a series regular on ''

Michael McIntyre's Big Show ''Michael McIntyre's Big Show'' is a British variety and stand-up comedy television series, presented by British comedian Michael McIntyre, and broadcast by BBC One. The show was originally a one-off Christmas special in 2015, ''Michael McInty ...

'' helping

Michael McIntyre Michael Hazen James McIntyre (born 21 February 1976) is a British comedian, writer, and television presenter. In 2012, he was the highest-grossing stand-up comedian in the world. He currently presents the variety and stand-up comedy show '' Mic ...

prank the Unexpected Star of the show. These episodes were filmed at the

London Palladium The London Palladium () is a Grade II* West End theatre located on Argyll Street, London, in Soho. The theatre was designed by Frank Matcham and opened in 1910. The auditorium holds 2,286 people. Hundreds of stars have played there, many wit ...

. In 2020, Hurst appeared as Baz for a short run in ''

'', plus cameo roles in ''

Ackley Bridge ''Ackley Bridge'' is a British comedy drama series set in a multicultural academy school of the same name. The series is set in the fictional town of Ackley, and filmed in Halifax, West Yorkshire and it began broadcasting on Channel 4 on 7 Jun ...

'' and ''

''. 2021 saw Hurst joining the cast of '' All Creatures Great and Small'' as Harold Ingledew, the annoying neighbour of Siegfried. Hurst also filmed the role of a teacher in ''

The Railway Children Return ''The Railway Children Return'', known as ''Railway Children'' in the US, is a 2022 family drama film directed by Morgan Matthews and written by Danny Brocklehurst. It is a sequel to the 1970 film ''The Railway Children'', itself based on the ...

''.

Theatre career

In 2018, Hurst, and ''

'' actress

Vicky Binns Victoria Jane Binns (born 27 August 1982) is an English actress, known for her two roles in the two veteran ITV soap operas ''Emmerdale'' and ''Coronation Street''. She had a lead role in ''Von Trapped'' opposite Caroline Quentin and also appea ...

, joined the original cast of

Craig Cash Craig Cash (born 11 September 1960)
Retri ...

's and

Phil Mealey Phil Mealey is a British actor and writer from Stockport. Biography Mealey co-wrote and associate-produced the BBC sitcom '' Early Doors'' with Craig Cash. Mealey also acted in the series, playing the character Duffy. Cash and Mealey won two Nort ...

's sitcom ''

Early Doors ''Early Doors'' is a BBC sitcom written by Craig Cash and Phil Mealey. Both writers appear in the series, playing the characters Joe and Duffy, who are best friends. ''Early Doors'' is set at The Grapes, a small public house in Heaton Norris, S ...

'', in the live stage version of the show. Hurst was playing the role of 'Freddie' (a replacement character for

Mark Benton Mark Benton (born 16 November 1965) is an English actor and television presenter known for his roles as Eddie in '' Early Doors'', Howard in '' Northern Lights'', Martin Pond in '' Barbara'' and the eponymous Frank Hathaway in '' Shakespeare & H ...

's character, 'Eddie') and toured arenas in the UK after sold out run at

The Lowry Lowry is a theatre and gallery complex at Salford Quays, Salford, Greater Manchester, England. It is named after the early 20th-century painter L. S. Lowry, known for his paintings of industrial scenes in North West England. The complex opened ...

Salford Salford ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city in Greater Manchester, England, on the western bank of the River Irwell which forms its boundary with Manchester city centre. Landmarks include the former Salford Town Hall, town hall, ...

. Hurst reprised his role at

for the 2019 production of ''Early Doors: One More Chance''. In 2017, Hurst originated the role of Alan in

Kay Mellor Kay Mellor (née Daniel; 11 May 1951 – 15 May 2022) was an English actress, scriptwriter, producer and director. She was known for creating television series such as '' Band of Gold'' (ITV, 1995–97), '' Fat Friends'' (ITV, 2000–05), and ...

's ''

Fat Friends The Musical ''Fat Friends The Musical'' is a stage musical by Kay Mellor with music by Nick Lloyd Webber, based on Mellor's ITV series ''Fat Friends''. Production history Original Leeds and UK tour (2017–18) The musical made its world premiere at th ...

'', the musical premièred at the

Grand Theatre, Leeds The Grand Theatre, also known as Leeds Grand Theatre and Leeds Grand Theatre and Opera House, is a theater (building), theatre and opera house in Briggate, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It seats approximately 1,500 people. Building It was ...

in November 2017, prior to a UK tour from January to June 2018. While appearing in the musical, Hurst was nominated for best actor in the Entertainment Views Awards. For a decade, 2009 to 2019, he appeared at the

Victoria Theatre, Halifax Victoria Theatre in Halifax, West Yorkshire, Halifax, West Yorkshire, England, is a large theatre and concert hall that opened in 1901. History The building was first opened on 8 February 1901, when it was known as the Victoria Hall. In ...

each Christmas in their annual pantomime, clocking up almost 1000 performances on the stage. On 28 February 2019, Hurst announced his departure from the Victoria Theatre pantomime after 10 years. Since his departure from Halifax, he has been appearing in pantomime for

Qdos Entertainment Qdos Entertainment was one of the largest entertainment groups in Europe. Pantomimes Qdos Entertainment was the world's largest pantomime producer, having produced over 700 productions since it started. In 2017, Qdos Entertainment confirmed it ...

. In 2020, Hurst co-wrote an adult pantomime, ''Cinderella'', with

Jodie Prenger Jodie Christine Prenger (born 12 June 1979) is an English actress and singer, best known for winning the second series of ''The Biggest Loser'' in 2006 and the BBC talent show '' I'd Do Anything'' in 2008, the latter of which subsequently laun ...

for the

Turbine Theatre The Turbine Theatre was a commercial theatre on the banks of the River Thames at Battersea in the London Borough of Wandsworth, which opened in 2019. The theatre was established as part of the redevelopment of Battersea Power Station. The inaug ...

. Starring

Rufus Hound Rufus Hound (born Robert James Blair Simpson 6 March 1979) is an English actor, comedian and presenter. Early life Hound was born on 6 March 1979 in Essex and moved to Surrey at the age of 7. He was educated at Hoe Bridge School Woking, Fre ...

, Scott Paige,

Debbie Kurup Debbie Kurup (born 3 July 1979) is an English actress. Acting career Kurup's theatrical credits include: ''Sweet Charity'' (Donmar Warehouse), ''Girl from the North Country'' (Old Vic - original London cast) and ''The Threepenny Opera'' (Royal ...

, Oscar Conlon-Morrey, Sean Parkins and Daisy Wood Davis, the run of the show was cut short due to lockdown restrictions due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic (also known as the coronavirus pandemic and COVID pandemic), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), began with an disease outbreak, outbreak of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, in December ...

. Other theatre roles include '' Bouncers'', '' Evita'', ''

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ''Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'' is a sung-through musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, based on the character of Joseph from the Bible's Book of Genesis. This was the first Lloyd Webber and Rice ...

'', ''

Michael Frayn Michael Frayn, FRSL (; born 8 September 1933) is an English playwright and novelist. He is best known as the author of the farce ''Noises Off'' and the dramas ''Copenhagen (play), Copenhagen'' and ''Democracy (play), Democracy''. Frayn's novel ...

's Matchbox Theatre'', ''

Lost In Yonkers ''Lost in Yonkers'' is a play by Neil Simon. The play won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Production The play premiered at The Center for the Performing Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on December 31, 1990, then moved to Broadway at ...

'', ''

The Last Five Years ''The Last Five Years'' is a musical written by Jason Robert Brown. It premiered at Chicago's Northlight Theatre in 2001 and was then produced Off-Broadway in March 2002. Since then it has had numerous productions both in the United States an ...

'' and ''

The Wizard of Oz ''The Wizard of Oz'' is a 1939 American Musical film, musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Based on the 1900 novel ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' by L. Frank Baum, it was primarily directed by Victor Fleming, who left pro ...

''. In December 2022, Hurst appeared at the

Hull New Theatre The Hull New Theatre is a theatre in Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It opened in 1939 as a successor to the Hull Repertory Theatre Company. The Hull New Theatre features Musical theatre, musicals, opera, ballet, drama, ch ...

in their pantomime, ''

Jack and the Beanstalk "Jack and the Beanstalk" is an English fairy tale with ancient origins. It appeared as "The Story of Jack Spriggins and the Enchanted Bean" in 1734 4th edition :File:Round about our Coal Fire, or, Christmas Entertainments, 4th edn, 1734.pdf, On C ...

'', alongside

Gareth Gates Gareth Paul Gates (born 12 July 1984) is an English singer-songwriter and actor. He was the runner-up in the first series of the ITV talent show ''Pop Idol'' in 2002. As of 2008, Gates had sold over 3.5 million records in the UK. He is ...

in the lead role. From 2024, he starred as Edna Turnblad in the ''Hairspray The Musical'' UK & Ireland Tour.

Presenting

In 2016, Hurst presented a documentary in the United States called ''Hopping The Pond''. The show was a documentary about craft beers of America. Filming took place in

Duluth, Minnesota Duluth ( ) is a Port, port city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of St. Louis County, Minnesota, St. Louis County. Located on Lake Superior in Minnesota's Arrowhead Region, the city is a hub for cargo shipping. The population ...

and

Grand Marais, Minnesota Grand Marais ( ) is a city and the county seat of Cook County, Minnesota, Cook County, Minnesota, United States, of which it is the only municipality. It is on Lake Superior's North Shore. Grand Marais had a population of 1,337 at the 2020 Unit ...

He also co-hosted the weekly 'Mishaps Podcast' with the ''

Emmerdale ''Emmerdale'' (known as ''Emmerdale Farm'' until 1989) is a British television soap opera that is broadcast on ITV (TV network), ITV. The show is set in Emmerdale (known as Beckindale until 1994), a List of fictional towns and villages, fict ...

'' actress,

Natalie Anderson Natalie Jane Anderson (born 24 October 1981) is an English actress, singer and television presenter. She is known for her roles as Stella Davenport in the medical drama ''The Royal'' from 2005 to 2008 and Alicia Metcalfe in the ITV soap oper ...

and musical theatre actor,

Hurst also narrates many TV documentaries.

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Hurst, Neil 1982 births Living people 21st-century English male actors English male musical theatre actors Male actors from Halifax, West Yorkshire Alumni of the University of Huddersfield English male television actors