MACKENZIE CROOK

Mackenzie Crook spent eight years or so on the stand-up comedians circuit. One character, Mr Bagshaw, was based on the kind of teacher who happily kills the dreams of children and still sleeps well at night. Bob Mortimer named him 'the best character comedian around'. Mr Bagshaw proved a crowd-pleaser, and led to character work in TV.

A break on The 11 O'Clock Show led to the sketch show TV To Go. Next came the role he's most famous for: Gareth, the Territorial Army-obsessed assistant manager ('assistant to the manager') in 'The Office'.

Mackenzie has just filmed Pirates of the Caribbean (with Jonny Depp) and his next project is The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers.