Norman Lovett

Norman Lovett performing at the Hampstead Comedy Club, 2005.

Norman Lovett (born 31st October 1946 in Windsor, England) is a British stand-up comedian and actor, best known for the role of Holly in the BBC science fiction comedy series Red Dwarf during the first, second, seventh and eighth series. His stand-up is known for its quiet, dead-pan surrealism; in 2000 he embarked upon a successful tour, co-headlining with his Red Dwarf co-star Chris Barrie.

Career

Early appearances

Lovett turned to comedy and acting only in his thirties. Before coming to the role he would be best known for, he appeared in the anarchic sitcom The Young Ones (in the 1984 episode 'Summer Holiday'). More stand-up and acting work followed, respectively on the comedy show Saturday Night Live and alongside Ruby Wax in a regular role on her series, Don't Miss Wax (1987). He also appeared in Happy Families (1987), a comedy penned by Ben Elton and produced for BBC Manchester by Paul Jackson. Jackson would later bring together many of the final cast of Red Dwarf.

Red Dwarf

Lovett originally auditioned for a Red Dwarf role which would have seen him on-screen as more than a head, as occurred once he landed the role of Holly, a futuristic computer with a less-than-spectacular IQ; Lovett's face comprised Holly's original avatar. Originally, the role had been a voiceover only, but Lovett insisted he be seen; he puts this down to "ego". On moving to Edinburgh two years later, Lovett relinquished the role to Hattie Hayridge, a fellow stand-up comedian known as 'the female Norman Lovett'. He was able to reprise the role some years later, both on television and in a 2006 interactive game, Beat the Geek.

Other work

In 1989, he was given his own BBC Two sitcom called I, Lovett, which was surreal, but failed to catch the public's consciousness. He played a character called Norman, an in inventor living with a dog. Seven years later, he played Dr Lovett in the equally short-lived sitcom Asylum, which spawned many other successful careers.

He has made a number of acting appearances, such as The Ghost of Christmas Past in a TV adaptation of A Christmas Carol; Mr Follett in The History Of Tom Jones, and two films - The Criminal and Evil Aliens. On television, he appeared in the BBC sitcom Keeping up Appearances, and more recently was rumoured to be involved in the new series of Doctor Who, but this turned out to be a hoax. He is said to be involved in the forthcoming Red Dwarf film, which is yet to win financial backing.

Personal life

Lovett has two daughters, Lily and Kitty, with his wife Fi. He says that the best moment of his career was supporting the rock group The Clash on stage. He continues to work the UK stand-up circuit.

External links

• normanlovett.co.uk - Lovett's official website, including a biography
• Norman Lovett - Internet Movie Database
• Norman Lovett - Myspace

See also

• Red Dwarf (science fiction series)