[[File:Alexander Armstrong in 2012.jpg|thumb|Alexander Armstrong]] Alexander Henry Fenwick Armstrong (born 2 March 1970) is an English comedian, actor, presenter, and singer. He is widely known as one half of the comedy duo Armstrong and Miller, alongside Ben Miller, and as the host of the BBC One game show Pointless.
Early Life and Education Armstrong was born in Rothbury, Northumberland, England. He attended St Mary's School in Melrose, Scotland, and then Durham School. He later read English at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was a member of the Footlights, the university's famous theatrical club. While at Cambridge, he met and befriended Ben Miller, with whom he would later form a successful comedy partnership.
Career
Comedy and Acting After graduating, Armstrong and Miller began performing together, gaining recognition in the mid-1990s. Their sketch show, Armstrong and Miller, first aired on Channel 4 from 1997 to 1999, before being revived as The Armstrong & Miller Show on BBC One from 2007 to 2010. The latter won a British Academy Television Award for Best Comedy Programme in 2008.
Armstrong's other acting credits include:
- Various roles in The Thin Blue Line (1995–1996)
- Mr. Smith in The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007–2008)
- Voice work for numerous animated series, most notably the title role in the 2015 revival of Danger Mouse.
- Guest appearances in dramas such as Hunderby and Doctor Who (as the voice of various characters).
- Film roles including Reverend Humpage in Match Point (2005) and The Boss in Jackboots on Whitehall (2010).
Presenting Armstrong is perhaps best known to a broad audience as the co-presenter of the BBC One daytime quiz show Pointless, which he has hosted alongside Richard Osman since 2009. The show has been a significant success, leading to various spin-offs including Pointless Celebrities.
He has also presented:
- Alexander Armstrong's Big Ask (2010–2011)
- Epic Win (2011)
- Documentaries such as Alexander Armstrong's Iceland Adventure (2015) and Alexander Armstrong in the Land of the Midnight Sun (2015).
- Have I Got News for You (multiple times as guest host).
Music A trained baritone, Armstrong has also pursued a successful career as a classical singer. He signed with Warner Music Group in 2015 and released his debut album, A Year of Songs, which reached No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart. His subsequent albums include Upon a Different Shore (2016) and In a Winter Light (2017), both of which also achieved commercial success. He has performed in various classical concerts and appeared on Classic FM.
Personal Life Armstrong married Hannah Bronwen Snow in 2003. They have four sons and live in Oxfordshire. He is a distant relative of William Armstrong, 1st Baron Armstrong.
Selected Filmography
Television
- The Thin Blue Line (1995–1996) – PC Dobbs/Various
- Armstrong and Miller (1997–1999) – Various roles
- The Armstrong & Miller Show (2007–2010) – Various roles
- Pointless (2009–present) – Presenter
- The Sarah Jane Adventures (2007–2008) – Mr. Smith (voice)
- Danger Mouse (2015–2019) – Danger Mouse (voice)
- Hunderby (2012–2015) – The Chaplain
- Doctor Who (various appearances, voice roles)
Film
- Match Point (2005) – Reverend Humpage
- Jackboots on Whitehall (2010) – The Boss (voice)
Discography
- A Year of Songs (2015)
- Upon a Different Shore (2016)
- In a Winter Light (2017)
- O Holy Night (2020)