Craig Hill is Scotland's brightest comedy star. Cheeky, irreverent and, of course, wonderfully camp, his hilarious blend of stand-up and musical comedy has earned him rave reviews. Incisive stand-up, fabulous characterisations and improvisation are stylishly blended with sublimely out-of-context musical diva impersonations. He is one of those rare natural performers, with an seemingly effortless audience rapport. Craig's warm and contagious personality, glorious comic timing and technically brilliant vocalisations all combine to bring a sense of joy to his performance.
Craig Hill's first public success came at age ten when he won a local talent contest in his native East Kilbride, impersonating Cleo Laine. He never looked back, going on to enter dance contests, write songs, sing in local bands - and eventually train as a hairdresser.
In 1991 Craig moved to Edinburgh in order to study Drama at Queen Margaret College, graduating in 1994. His comedy characters as well as his ability to improvise and write material led him naturally, but not directly, into stand-up. He was still an actor, working in Theatre In Education and pantomimes when a friend secretly booked him in for an 'open spot' at The Gilded Balloon venue in 1998. He was terrified and had to be shoved on stage for this, his first ever stand-up comedy performance. To his, (but not his friend's) surprise, the audience absolutely loved it - and so did he. Craig was hooked.
For his third-ever comedy spot he won first runner-up prize in Comedy Store's Stand Up For Hooch Competition. BBC Radio Scotland invited him to perform on 'Velvet Cabaret' , and later that year, during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, he was featured on the popular BBC's radio showcase 'Usual Suspects' . Channel 4's 'Edinburgh or Bust' filmed his progress as a contestant on the "So You Think You're Funny" new-talent comedy contest.
In 1997 and 1998, Craig had a lead role (Jeremy Weller) in the critically acclaimed Grassmarket Project's ground-breaking theatre production ' Mad' at the Edinburgh Fringe.
His Edinburgh Fringe comedy debut in 1999, as part of Scottish triple bill 'Three Weird Beards' (Gilded Balloon), was a cult-hit and saw the press single him out for much praise.
The following year, Craig's first solo show, ' Craig Hill's Alive With The Sound Of Music' , took the Edinburgh Festival Fringe by storm, selling out and receiving rave reviews. Here Craig cemented his reputation as a versatile and uniquely talented comic with a cheeky look at the world of musicals, pop music and pop icons. His sublime vocal parodies included Shirley Bassey singing football chant 'Who Ate All the Pies?' and Julie Andrews doing Hip Hop anthem 'Gangsta's Paradise' in her inimitable style.
In 2001, Craig's new smash-hit Fringe season with 'Craig Hill's Wiz To Oz', which told the story of his hilarious adventures enroute to Sydney's Mardis Gras. He also wrote a weekly newspaper column for The Scotland on Sunday, which became required Festival reading.
Having previously supported tours by Johnny Vegas, Phil Kay and Ross Noble, Craig now comperes and headlines at venues throughout the Britain. He has also performed at the BBC's ' Children in Need' at the Shepherd's Bush Empire and European dates have included shows in Amsterdam, Brussels and Antwerp.
In April 2002, Craig was invited to the US for the Scottish Arts Council's Tartan Day showcase 'Distilled: Live Scotland in New York' . His fresh comic style shone at the high-profile event and won a rapturous reception from the media, event officials and delegates.
In March 2002, he made his first series for BBC Radio Scotland 'Craig Hill's Passionate Encounters' which was extremely well received. Craig's wonderful ability to interact with ordinary members of the public enabled him to gently tease them into sharing the deepest secrets of their often extraordinarily bizarre hobbies. The programme's success led to him hosting a new comedy radio-quiz, 'Famous for Five Minutes' , for the BBC in May-June. He is also a regular guest on the Fred MacAuley and Brian Morton radio shows.
In August, Craig's new Edinburgh Fringe show - 'Craig Hill - The People's Friend' was a sell-out hit at the prestigious Assembly Rooms. He also stormed at the Stonewall gala at Edinburgh's Festival Theatre and was invited to perform around the UK and in Australia.
From 2002 to 2003 Craig featured in all episodes of series I & II of BBC Scotland's Friday night comedy / variety programme Live Floor Show. As a result of its huge success, the Live Floor Show was promoted to BBC 2 in January 2003 and was seen nationally with a 10 week run going out Saturday nights. Craig again starred as one of 4 regulars.
His 2003 Edinburgh Festival Fringe season 'Craig Hill - Live' sold out its entire season at the Assembly Rooms and extra late night shows were added due to audience demand. He also performed a highly successful solo four-week season at the gloriously gothic Forum Theatre during the 2003 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
In the spring of 2004 Craig was invited to host the new incarnation of BBC Scotland's hit comedy format, now re-named to just ' Floor Show' . Joined by only two other regulars, he presents a mix of comedy and the very latest in bands for Friday night viewers.
Craig will also be bringing a brand new live theatre show to the Edinburgh fringe in August.
His superb ability to entertain - and charm - any audience, on any occasion, has established his popularity and excellent reputation in the corporate entertainment market.
Craig's television appearances include performing and writing on all three series of hit stand-up comedy series LIVE FLOOR SHOW (BBC 2 and BBC Scotland, 2003, 2002). He was the live-to-air presenter from Edinburgh for BBC 1's 'Hogmanay Live 2003' New Year's show. Other credits include ROVE: LIVE (2003, live-to-air comedy spot, Channel 10); MELBOURNE COMEDY FESTIVAL LIVE AT THE FORUM (2003, Host, Channel 9) (T in the Park (roving reporter, 6 week programme anchor, BBC 2, 2002/ 2001); MUSIC LIVE festival for the Queen's jubilee celebrations (live-to-air co-presenter, BBC Scotland, 2002); RALF LITTLE'S EDINBURGH NIGHTS (performance & interview, BBC Scotland, 2001); EDINBURGH OR BUST (featured artist, Ch 4, 1998). Short Film: LAY OF THE LAND (supporting role, Producer: Screenbase; Director: Fraser McDonald; 1998)
Voiceovers: Dunfermline Building Society Radio & TVC campaign 2003, 2004; BBC Online Education Local Government