Ardal O’Hanlon is a British comic and actor of bona fide adulation. His charm and ability to instantaneously connect with his audiences make him a master of the art form. Both as a stand-up comedian and in acting roles in sitcoms such as Father Ted and My Hero- his observational comedy style with an eye for the absurd have brought audiences to hysterics. In 1994 Ardal became the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year and 1995 took the gong for Top TV Comedy Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards. After forging a reputation as a breakthrough stand up comedian, he grew in esteem for his role in much-loved sitcom Father Ted where his role as Father Dougal Mcguire became one of the most iconic in British comedy history.
A role in witty drama, Big Bad World followed and Ardal’s one liners were widely admired. By then he had cemented his status as one of the best comedians in the country. He appeared in Blessed and My Hero. Ardal’s role as Thermoman in the BBC superhero sitcom proved especially popular. The series ran for 6 seasons between 2000 and 2007. Ardal has also retained his popularity through streams of appearances as a guest or panelist on prestigious television shows such as Whose Line Is It Anyway, The One Show, Parkison, Shooting Stars, Live at the Apollo and Who Do You Think You Are.
Ardal has appeared in recent years in Sky One sitcom After Hours, coming of age films Twice Shy and Handsome Devil and in 2017 replaced Kris Marshall as the Detective Inspector for series 7 of Death In Paradise. Ardal has still found the time to tour with four separate stand up shows and across some of the UK’s biggest stages. He has performed at Dublin’s Gaiety Theatre, at the Hammersmith Apollo and the Edinburgh Fringe. His stand up show has gained critical acclaim. The Guardian said of his act: “Charm, intelligence and fabulous phrase-making” Ardal has also written a best-selling novel, Talk of the Town in his early career and has a number of writing credits in the industry to add to his incredible catalogue of television acting experience. He is an extraordinary Irish comedian and all-around entertainer, capable of putting on a world class show.
