Television favourite Steve Pemberton is back on our screens, offering a sneak peek into the making of the popular series Inside No. 9.
Inside No. 9: The Party’s Over brings together long-time partners Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith to reflect on the anthology series and its memorable moments over the past ten years.
Each 30-minute episode of Inside No. 9 delivered a unique, standalone story, culminating in a chilling or unexpected twist.
Inside No. 9: The Party’s Over will be broadcast on Two and iPlayer at 9pm on Sunday (December 22).
Away from work, Steve Pemberton spends his time with family or cheering on his cherished Blackburn Rovers.
But what more can we uncover about Steve Pemberton, the man behind the series?
Early life and career of Steve Pemberton
Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith’s latest work together Inside No. 9 was a major success (Image: BBC/Richard Ansett)
Steve was raised in Chorley, Lancashire, where he later crossed paths with actors and future collaborators Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith at Bretton Hall College of Education.
The BAFTA-winning actor and writer began his career by producing and starring in small theatre productions in London after graduation. He also held a part-time role as assistant editor of the International Film Guide for Variety.
In 1995, the trio joined forces with Jeremy Dyson to establish the League of Gentlemen comedy troupe, touring extensively throughout the 1990s.
In 1996, Steve Pemberton and his university mates Mark Gatiss, Reece Shearsmith and Jeremy Dyson took their comedy act, The League of Gentlemen, to the Edinburgh festival. It was there that the award-winning actor and his team clinched the prestigious Perrier Comedy prize the following year.
Their triumphant run in Scotland propelled the group into the limelight, leading to a radio series adaptation, four TV series, three live touring stage shows, and even a film. The League of Gentlemen’s unique brand of dark humour continues to be a cult classic, earning them a devoted fanbase.
Years down the line, Steve and Reece joined forces once more to write and star in the critically acclaimed black comedy Psychoville, which aired for two seasons and included a Halloween special.
In 2014, Steve earned a BAFTA for his role in the highly praised anthology series Inside No 9, another collaboration with Reece Shearsmith broadcast on the . He received a BAFTA for Best Male Comedy Performance in 2019.
Steve’s other notable roles include the timid accountant turned criminal Kevin Weatherill in Happy Valley, Mick Garvey in Benidorm, as well as appearances in Midsomer Murders, Killing Eve, Death in Paradise and Taskmaster.
Steve Pemberton suffered heart attack aged just 25
Steve Pemberton attends the press night performance of “Hex” at The National Theatre (Image: )
When Steve Pemberton was a young actor working in a theatre company in Germany, the then 25-year-old suddenly started to feel unwell. He was told by doctors that he had had a myocardial infarction, another term for a heart attack.
Steve has more important reasons for staying in shape and explained: “As you get older the things that really scare you are the thoughts of anything bad happening to your family… and your own mortality.
“I didn’t feel well so they took me to hospital. I had tests and the doctor told me very seriously ‘I cannot tell you there is nothing wrong with your heart’.
“Once I’d worked out the double negative and realised what he meant it was very frightening.
“I was told I’d had a myocardial infarction, a heart attack. When I got back to the UK and had other tests they couldn’t find any trace of it so I still don’t really know what happened”
He added: “But I’m aware of what happened to me and have regular check-ups. I lost two stone last year by dieting and taking up jogging.
“I was writing episodes of Benidorm and was finally able to manage my time to fit in the exercise.”
Who is Steve Pemberton in a relationship with?
Steve Pemberton at The South Bank Sky Arts Awards (Image: Ash Knotek/REX/Shutterstock)
Steve Pemberton lives in London with actress girlfriend Alison. Together they have three children, namely Lucas, 23, Madeleine 21, and Adam, 18.