--- name: "John Thomson" canonical: "https://film.one/person/john-thomson" fi1m_id: "john-thomson" imdb_id: "nm0861027" tmdb_id: 7321 wikidata_id: "Q1701933" roles: ["Actor"] born: "2 April 1969" reviewed_on_fi1m: 7 average_fi1m_score: 77 average_as: "actor" average_over: 7 updated: "2026-10-07T15:32:09.090178+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # John Thomson ## Identity John Thomson - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/john-thomson - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** john-thomson - **IMDb ID:** nm0861027 - **TMDB ID:** 7321 - **Wikidata ID:** Q1701933 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Thomson_(comedian), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1701933, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0861027/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7321 Actor. Born 2 April 1969 in Salford, Lancashire, England, UK. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 2 April 1969, Salford, Lancashire, England, UK - **Active:** 1992–present - **Also known as:** John Patrick-Thomson, John Thompson, John Patrick Thomson - **Average Fi1m score:** 77, as actor, over 7 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 83 (3), 2000s 80 (2), 2010s 72 (1), 2020s 62 (1) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 70 across 4 titles - **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Comedy 5, Drama 2, Adventure 1, Animation 1, Family 1, Horror 1 - **Screen time:** 5 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $193m across 1 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Thomson_(comedian), https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1701933, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0861027/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7321 ## Streaming the US now - **AMC+:** [*Nightborn*](https://film.one/film/nightborn.md) (62) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on John Thomson > John Thomson is especially good at making an awkward delivery funny without losing the person behind it. We rate the care in his sketch acting, though recognition sometimes has to do the work of a fresh joke. Louis Balfour, John Thomson’s pretentious jazz presenter in *The Fast Show* (1994), needs little space to establish himself. Thomson makes the self-importance easy to recognise without needing a long sketch to explain it. We rate him most when an uncertain delivery supplies a joke that the words alone would struggle to make. The programme’s brevity rewards an actor who can suggest a person through an incomplete phrase. Alongside Mark Williams and Caroline Aherne, Thomson helps make that brevity work. We laughed hardest at the mumbling in *The Fast Show*, because the effort of getting a sentence out remained recognisable beneath the exaggeration. It is a useful reminder of how much comic acting happens between intelligible words. The limitation is repetition: sometimes recognising a returning character becomes the whole joke. We still recommend the programme, but another catchphrase is not always enough to justify another appearance. With Pete Gifford in *Cold Feet* (1997), his work shifted towards sustained dramatic comedy. The programme’s 2016 return gave his naturalistic delivery room for the difficulties of middle age. That longer form matters for an actor so readily associated with short sketches: he has time to make a person convincing beyond a single habit. He also reunited with Steve Coogan in the Manchester music-scene ensemble *24 Hour Party People* (2002), playing Charles. *Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit* (2005) casts him as the voice of Mr Windfall. Nick Park and Steve Box’s comedy is affectionate and precise about small gestures, qualities we also value in Thomson’s sketch acting. The plot stretches to fill the feature, but the detail keeps it funny. We recommend it warmly, though *The Fast Show* gives a much clearer idea of his particular contribution. Frequent casting in Northern English and comic-support parts can narrow the opportunities, even when the acting is sound. We would welcome more parts that give him time to develop a character without demanding a familiar comic habit. Start with *The Fast Show*, and listen to the hesitations as carefully as the catchphrases. ## Biography John Thomson is an English comedian and actor. Born Patrick Francis McAleer on 2 April 1969 in Salford, Lancashire, he was adopted and raised in the area before studying drama at Manchester Polytechnic. He first gained prominence in the 1990s through sketch comedy, notably on *The Fast Show* (1994–2001), where he played characters including Louis Balfour. Thomson is also known for his role as Pete Gifford in the ITV series *Cold Feet* (1997–2003, 2016–2020) and appearances in *Men Behaving Badly* and *Coronation Street*. His film credits include *24 Hour Party People* (2002) as Charles and the voice of Mr. Windfall in *Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit* (2005). Later roles encompass *Inkheart* (2008), *Grimsby* (2016) and *The Gentlemen* (2024). *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (7) - *Nightborn* (2026), Fi1m 62, as Jon's Father — [page](https://film.one/film/nightborn.md) - *Northern Soul* (2014), Fi1m 72, as Terry — [page](https://film.one/film/northern-soul.md) - *Skins* (2007), Fi1m 72, as Sam Brooks — [page](https://film.one/tv/skins.md) - *Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit* (2005), Fi1m 87, as Mr. Windfall (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/wallace-and-gromit-the-curse-of-the-were-rabbit.md) - *Knowing Me Knowing You with Alan Partridge* (1994), Fi1m 82, as Petty Officer Alan Partridge — [page](https://film.one/tv/knowing-me-knowing-you-with-alan-partridge.md) - *The Day Today* (1994), Fi1m 86, as Treasurer — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-day-today.md) - *The Fast Show* (1994), Fi1m 81, as Various Characters — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fast-show.md) ## Complete filmography (102) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Nightborn* (2026), as Jon's Father — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/film/nightborn.md) - *Fackham Hall* (2025), as Bill - *Art Detectives* (2025), series, as William Titchfield - *The People Before* (2025), as Knotweed Man - *The Gentlemen* (2024), series, as Frank - *Captivated* (2024), series, as Geoff - *Red Riding Hood: After Ever After* (2022), as Plank - *Sister Boniface Mysteries* (2022), series, as Leonard Monk - *Dodger* (2022), series, as Farmer Grundles - *Last Train to Christmas* (2021), as Vic - *Wetherspoons: How Do They Do It?!* (2021), as Narrator - *The Fast Show: Just a Load of Blooming Catchphrases* (2020), Writer - *Dog Loves Books* (2020), series, as Dog (voice) - *McDonald & Dodds* (2020), series, as Jimmy Daly - *Phoenix Madina - Bring on the Sperm* (2019), Director - *Inside Cadbury: Chocolate Secrets Unwrapped* (2019), as Narrator - *Brassic* (2019), series, as Colin Popov — Fi1m 76, [page](https://film.one/tv/brassic.md) - *Shane the Chef* (2018), series, Actor - *Inside Bentley: A Great British Motor Car* (2017), Actor - *Alan Partridge's Scissored Isle* (2016), as Kevin Ruddock - *Grimsby* (2016), as Bob Tolliver - *Billionaire Boy* (2016), as Len - *Fungus The Bogeyman* (2015), Actor - *Northern Soul* (2014), as Terry — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/film/northern-soul.md) - *The Power of Darts* (2013), as Narrator (voice) - *Help Point* (2013), as Stephen - *Dementamania* (2013), Actor - *Strange Hill High* (2013), series, as Various (voice) - *The Job Lot* (2013), series, as Kevin - *Plebs* (2013), series, as Mr. Adolphus - *The Mimic* (2013), series, as Nigel Lord - *Pulp* (2013), as Dave Burns - *Father Brown* (2013), series, as John Banks - *Uncle Wormsley's Christmas* (2012), as Mr. Goodington and the Crabcatchers - *BBC Comedy Feeds* (2012), series, as Steve - *Death in Paradise* (2011), series, as DCI Chris Ricketts - *Sooty* (2011), series, as The Boss - *The Lock Up* (2011), series, as Narrator - *The Road to Coronation Street* (2010), as Harry Kershaw - *Big Top* (2009), series, as Geoff - *Peter Kay's Animated All Star Band: The Official BBC Children in Need Medley* (2009), as Bill (Flowerpot Man) - *Inkheart* (2008), as Darius - *All Star Mr & Mrs* (2008), series, Actor - *Kingdom* (2007), series, as Nigel Pearson - *Mobile* (2007), series, as Ray Bould / Hypnotherapist - *Skins* (2007), series, as Sam Brooks — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/skins.md) - *Ghosthunting With...* (2006), series, Actor - *New Street Law* (2006), series, as Charlie Darling - *Waterloo Road* (2006), series, as Nelson Smith, Nelson Taylor - *The Dealer* (2006), as Bat - *Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit* (2005), as Mr. Windfall (voice) — Fi1m 87, [page](https://film.one/film/wallace-and-gromit-the-curse-of-the-were-rabbit.md) - *Monkey Trousers* (2005), series, Actor - *Blackpool* (2004), series, Actor - *Fat Slags* (2004), as Foreman - *Celebrity Mastermind* (2003), series, Actor - *Appointment with Dr. Terrible* (2003), as Interviewee – Actor - *Comic Relief Does Fame Academy* (2003), series, Actor - *24 Hour Party People* (2002), as Charles - *Station Jim* (2001), as Harold - *Dog Eat Dog* (2001), as Football Coach - *Dr Terrible's House of Horrible* (2001), series, as Sir Donald Tyburn - *Murder in Mind* (2001), series, as Alan Squires - *Bill and Ben* (2001), series, as Bill (voice) - *Born Romantic* (2000), as First Cab Driver - *Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)* (2000), series, Actor - *The Flint Street Nativity* (1999), as Christian Jerrums / Innkeeper - *You Are Here* (1998), as Peter Keggy - *The Fast Show Live* (1998), Actor - *Ted & Ralph* (1998), as Vicar - *Cold Feet* (1998), series, as Pete Gifford - *Up 'n' Under* (1998), as Stan - *Roger Roger* (1998), series, as Barry - *The Man Who Knew Too Little* (1997), as Dimitri - *The Girl with Brains in Her Feet* (1997), as Mr. Loughborough - *Midsomer Murders* (1997), series, as Cooper Steinem — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/midsomer-murders.md) - *Pond Life* (1996), series, Actor - *Roger Roger* (1996), as Barry - *VIZ: Oh, Lordy! It's The Fat Slags in Blue Honeymoon* (1996), Actor - *Saturday Live* (1996), series, as Cabbie - *Silent Witness* (1996), series, as DI Warren Bull - *Coogan's Run* (1995), series, as Fat Bob - *Crapston Villas* (1995), series, Actor - *The World of Lee Evans* (1995), series, as Customer - *Dangerous Lady* (1995), series, as Lee Ryan - *Fist of Fun* (1995), series, as Pied Piper of Hamelin - *The Young Poisoner's Handbook* (1995), as Nathan - *Pauline Calf's Wedding Video* (1994), as Fat Bob - *The Fast Show* (1994), series, Various Characters, Writer — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-fast-show.md) - *Smashie and Nicey: The End of an Era* (1994), as Simon Joke - *Pie in the Sky* (1994), series, as Andrew Vernon - *The Day Today* (1994), series, as Treasurer — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-day-today.md) - *Steve Coogan: Live 'n' Lewd* (1994), as Bernard Right On/Various · Writer - *Paul Calf's Video Diary* (1993), as Fat Bob - *Harry* (1993), series, as Royo - *The Dead Good Show* (1992), series, as Various - *The Weekenders* (1992), as Policeman 1 - *Blue Heaven* (1992), series, as Waiter 2 - *Men Behaving Badly* (1992), series, as Ken - *Murder Most Horrid* (1991), series, as Daniel Hoffmeyer - *Paul Merton: The Series* (1991), series, Actor - *Soldier Soldier* (1991), series, as Sgt Dunn - *Legends Of Stand-Up And Bernard Righton*, series, as Bernard Righton ## Gallery - ![John Thomson](https://film.one/media/person/99053/gallery-9aaa862a72c5.jpg) John Thomson — University of Salford Press Office, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/dd/John_Thomson_%28comedian%29_1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![John Thomson (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/99053/gallery-152bf9fe3f11.jpg) John Thomson (2012) — University of Salford Press Office, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/8e/John_Thomson_%28comedian%29_2.jpg/1280px-John_Thomson_%28comedian%29_2.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![John Thomson (2012)](https://film.one/media/person/99053/gallery-7bf89b33bd26.jpg) John Thomson (2012) — University of Salford Press Office, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/38/John_Thomson_%28comedian%29_3.jpg/1280px-John_Thomson_%28comedian%29_3.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/john-thomson