British Comedy Guide
Alexei Sayle
Alexei Sayle

Alexei Sayle

  • 72 years old
  • English
  • Actor, writer, stand-up comedian and producer
Alexei Sayle's Alternative Take. Alexei Sayle. Copyright: BBC

Alexei Sayle is an English stand-up comedian, actor, and author, best known for his influential work in the alternative comedy movement in the 1980s. He played several members of the Eastern European family the Balowskis in The Young Ones, and has hosted his own shows including Alexei Sayle's Stuff, Alexei Sayle's The Absence of Normal, and Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar

Year Production Role
2024 Latitude Self
2024 Bottom: Exposed Self
2024 The Laugharne Weekend Self
2024 No Alternative Self (Archive Material)
2023 Imagine... French & Saunders: Pointed, Bitchy, Bitter Self
2022 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar - Series 4
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Writer
2022 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar - Series 4
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Host / Presenter
2022 Dodger
  1. E3 - Imposter
Mr Elias Loomis
2022 Mandy - Series 2
  1. E5 - Fatberg
Darren Dugdale
2022 The Fringe, Fame And Me Self
2021 Alexei Sayle's The Absence Of Normal - Series 2
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Writer
2021 Alexei Sayle's The Absence Of Normal - Series 2
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Host / Presenter
2020 Believe It! - Series 5
  1. E3 - Grumpy Old Menopause
Self
2020 Phil Ellis Is Trying - Series 3
  1. E2 - Prison Break
Goodison
2020 How To Build A Girl Karl Marx
2020 Alexei Sayle Live UK 2020 Tour Self
2019 Simon Evans Is Right Self (Archive Material)
2019 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar - Series 3
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Writer
2019 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar - Series 3
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Host / Presenter
2019 Alexei Sayle's The Absence Of Normal - Series 1 Writer
2019 Alexei Sayle's The Absence Of Normal - Series 1 Host / Presenter
2018 Josh Howie's Losing It - Series 2
  1. E3 - The Covenant
Ensemble Actor
2018 Gloves Off Algy
2018 The Young Ones' 20 Greatest Moments Self
2018 How The Young Ones Changed Comedy Self
2018 The Reunion: The Young Ones Guest
2017 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar - Series 2
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Writer
2017 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar - Series 2
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Host / Presenter
2017 Festival Tales: Edinburgh At 70 Self
2017 Alexei Sayle Self
2016 Alexei Sayle Self
2016 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar - Series 1
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Writer
2016 Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar - Series 1
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Host / Presenter
2016 Josh Howie's Losing It - Series 1
  1. E5 - The Handyman
Dean
2016 The Roots Of Monty Python Self
2016 Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled - Series 4
  1. E5 - Episode Five
Guest
2016 Just A Minute - Series 75
  1. E2 - Episode Two
  2. E5 - Episode Five
Guest
2016 The Comic Strip Presents... - Red Top
  1. Red Top
Colin Goodman
2015 Legends Of Stand-Up And Bernard Righton
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E4 - Episode Four
Self (Archive Material)
2015 Alexei Sayle: Talking Comedy Self
2015 The Now Show - Series 46
  1. E1 - Episode One
Writer
2015 The Now Show - Series 46
  1. E1 - Episode One
Self
2014 Rik Mayall: Lord Of Misrule Self
2014 Tears Of A Clown Guest
2014 50 Years Of BBC 2 Comedy Self
2013 The News Quiz - Series 82
  1. E7 - Episode Seven
Guest
2013 Alexei Sayle Self
2012 Monty Python: Almost The Truth
  1. E2 - Episode II: The Much Funnier Second Episode - Flying Circus Included
  2. E5 - Episode V: Lust For Glory!
Self
2011 The News Quiz - Series 76
  1. E1 - Episode One
Guest
2011 Richard Herring's Objective - Series 2
  1. E4 - The Old School Tie
Guest
2011 The Story Of Music Hall With Michael Grade Self
2011 Christopher Brookmyre's Comedy Bookcase - Series 1
  1. E1 - Alexei Sayle
Guest
2010 Genius With Dave Gorman - Series 2
  1. E5 - Tim Minchin and Alexei Sayle
Guest
2010 Horrible Histories - Series 2
  1. E4 - Episode Four
Dr Usmah
2009 The Story Of Slapstick Self
2009 Clive Anderson's Chat Room - Series 6
  1. E1 - Episode One
Guest
2008 Comedy Songs - The Pop Years Self
2008 Never Mind The Buzzcocks - Series 22
  1. E6 - Episode Six
  2. Special - Technically, The Best Series Ever
Guest
2007 Alexei Sayle's Alternative Take
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Host / Presenter
2007 The 100 Greatest Stand-Ups
  1. E1 - The 100 Greatest Stand-Ups 2007
  2. E2 - 100 Greatest Stand-Ups 2010
Self
2006 Mark Lawson Talks To Alexei Sayle Self
2006 Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive - Series 1
  1. E5 - Episode Five
Self
2006 Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive - Series 2
  1. E2 - Episode Two
Guest
2006 Chain Reaction - Series 2
  1. E4 - Alexei Sayle interviews Lenny Henry
Host / Presenter
2006 Chain Reaction - Series 2
  1. E3 - Mark Thomas interviews Alexei Sayle
Guest
2006 Clive Anderson's Chat Room - Series 2
  1. E5 - Episode Five
Guest
2006 The News Quiz - Series 59
  1. E1 - Episode One
Guest
2006 When Comedy Changed Forever Self
2005 The Comic Side Of 7 Days - Series 2
  1. E13 - Episode Thirteen
Self
2005 Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive - Series 1
  1. E6 - Episode Six
Guest
2003 The News Quiz - Series 51
  1. E6 - Episode Six
Guest
2003 Comedians' Comedians - Series 2
  1. E5 - Alexei Sayle
Self (Archive Material)
2002 The News Quiz - Series 50
  1. E8 - Episode Eight
Guest
2002 Spine Chillers
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  1. E6 - Lose Weight... Ask Me How
Story
2002 Spine Chillers
  1. E6 - Lose Weight... Ask Me How
Graham
2002 Room 101 - Series 7
  1. E4 - Alexei Sayle
Guest
1999 Sorry About Last Night
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  1. E1 - A Loft
  2. E2 - A Airport
  3. E3 - A Animal
  4. E4 - A Occurrence
  5. E5 - A Enemy
Producer
1999 Sorry About Last Night
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  1. E1 - A Loft
  2. E2 - A Airport
  3. E3 - A Animal
  4. E4 - A Occurrence
  5. E5 - A Enemy
Director
1999 Sorry About Last Night
View episodes
  1. E1 - A Loft
  2. E2 - A Airport
  3. E3 - A Animal
  4. E4 - A Occurrence
  5. E5 - A Enemy
Writer
1999 Sorry About Last Night
View episodes
  1. E1 - A Loft
  2. E2 - A Airport
  3. E3 - A Animal
  4. E4 - A Occurrence
  5. E5 - A Enemy
Andy
1999 The Beginner's Guide To Being Funny Host / Presenter
1998 Alexei Sayle's Merry Go Round
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  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
Associate Producer
1998 Alexei Sayle's Merry Go Round
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  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
Writer
1998 Alexei Sayle's Merry Go Round
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
Host / Presenter
1997 Hospital! X-ray Operator
1997 Common As Muck - Series 2
  1. E5 - Episode Five
  2. E6 - Episode Six
Reg Vickers
1995 Sorry About Last Night Writer
1995 Sorry About Last Night Andy Carolides
1995 The All-New Alexei Sayle Show - Series 2
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  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
Writer
1995 The All-New Alexei Sayle Show - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
Host / Presenter
1994 Have I Got News For You - Series 8
  1. Special - Christmas Special
Guest
1994 Paris
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Alain Degout
1994 The All-New Alexei Sayle Show - Series 1
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  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
Writer
1994 The All-New Alexei Sayle Show - Series 1
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  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
  5. E5 - Episode Five
  6. E6 - Episode Six
Host / Presenter
1993 Have I Got News For You - Series 6
  1. E3 - Episode Three
Guest
1993 The Comic Strip Presents... - Series 5
  1. E3 - Queen Of The Wild Frontier
Inspector
1993 Lovejoy - Series 4
  1. E1 - The Napoleonic Commode
Freddy Reeve
1992 Carry On Columbus Achmed the Barber Surgeon
1992 The Comic Strip Presents... - 1992 Specials
  1. E1 - Red Nose Of Courage
Dad
1991 Alexei Sayle's Stuff - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - Yellow The Follow Rick Broad
  2. E2 - Clam Nation
  3. E3 - Buckle My Chives
  4. E4 - Why Are They Now?
  5. E5 - Vanessa Goes Bonkers
  6. E6 - What's This Organ Doing In The Scullery?
Writer
1991 Alexei Sayle's Stuff - Series 3
View episodes
  1. E1 - Yellow The Follow Rick Broad
  2. E2 - Clam Nation
  3. E3 - Buckle My Chives
  4. E4 - Why Are They Now?
  5. E5 - Vanessa Goes Bonkers
  6. E6 - What's This Organ Doing In The Scullery?
Host / Presenter
1990 The Gravy Train
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Milcic
1990 The Comic Strip Presents... - Series 4
  1. E6 - Les Dogs
Bride's Father
1990 The Comic Strip Presents... - Series 4
  1. E5 - Spaghetti Hoops
Mog
1989 Alexei Sayle's Stuff - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Tinkering With Teeth
  2. E2 - Westward H2O
  3. E3 - My Pal Mozart
  4. E4 - Six Body Builders Of The Italian Renaissance
  5. E5 - Whistling Calculus For Tax Purposes
  6. E6 - Margaret Drabble - The Hard Way
Writer
1989 Alexei Sayle's Stuff - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Tinkering With Teeth
  2. E2 - Westward H2O
  3. E3 - My Pal Mozart
  4. E4 - Six Body Builders Of The Italian Renaissance
  5. E5 - Whistling Calculus For Tax Purposes
  6. E6 - Margaret Drabble - The Hard Way
Host / Presenter
1989 Lenin Of The Rovers - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Ghosts and Ghoolies
  2. E2 - The Felchester Firm
  3. E3 - Apocalypse Des
  4. E4 - The Final Solution
Ricky Lenin
1988 Alexei Sayle's Stuff - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Fun With Magnets
  2. E2 - From Avogadro To Ava Gardner
  3. E3 - Cartesian Dualism For The Fuller Figure
  4. E4 - The Dobsey Twins Isolate Radium
  5. E5 - Leibnitz - Man Or Biscuit?
  6. E6 - How To Point At Chickens
Writer
1988 Alexei Sayle's Stuff - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Fun With Magnets
  2. E2 - From Avogadro To Ava Gardner
  3. E3 - Cartesian Dualism For The Fuller Figure
  4. E4 - The Dobsey Twins Isolate Radium
  5. E5 - Leibnitz - Man Or Biscuit?
  6. E6 - How To Point At Chickens
Host / Presenter
1988 The Comic Strip Presents... - Series 3
  1. E5 - Didn't You Kill My Brother
Writer
1988 The Comic Strip Presents... - Series 3
  1. E5 - Didn't You Kill My Brother
Carl Moss
1988 The Comic Strip Presents... - Series 3
  1. E5 - Didn't You Kill My Brother
Sterling Moss
1988 The Comic Strip Presents... - Series 3
  1. E1 - The Strike
Paul
1988 Lenin Of The Rovers - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Episode One
  2. E2 - Episode Two
  3. E3 - Episode Three
  4. E4 - Episode Four
Ricky Lenin
1986 Whoops Apocalypse Alexei Sayle in a Hawaiian Shirt
1985 The Supergrass Motorbike Cop
1984 Give Us A Break
  1. Hustle Bustle Toil and Muscle
Frank
1984 The Lenny Henry Show - Series 1
  1. E4 - Episode Four
Ensemble Actor
1984 The Young Ones - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E4 - Time
  2. E5 - Sick
  3. E6 - Summer Holiday
Balowski Family
1984 The Young Ones - Series 2
  1. E3 - Nasty
Vampire
1984 The Young Ones - Series 2
  1. E2 - Cash
'Mussolini' Policeman
1984 The Young Ones - Series 2
View episodes
  1. E1 - Bambi
  2. E2 - Cash
  3. E3 - Nasty
  4. E4 - Time
  5. E5 - Sick
  6. E6 - Summer Holiday
Writer (Additional Material)
1984 The Young Ones - Series 2
  1. E1 - Bambi
Train Driver
1982 The Young Ones - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Demolition
  2. E2 - Oil
  3. E3 - Boring
  4. E4 - Bomb
  5. E5 - Interesting
  6. E6 - Flood
Writer (Additional Material)
1982 The Young Ones - Series 1
View episodes
  1. E1 - Demolition
  2. E2 - Oil
  3. E3 - Boring
  4. E4 - Bomb
  5. E5 - Interesting
  6. E6 - Flood
Balowski Family
1982 Whoops Apocalypse
View episodes
  1. E1 - Road To Jerusalem
  2. E3 - How To Get Rid Of It
  3. E4 - Lucifer And The Lord
  4. E6 - Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun
Commissar Solzhenitsyn
1982 O.T.T. Actor
1981 Boom Boom... Out Go The Lights - 1981
  1. Episode One
Self
1981 Fundamental Frolics Writer
1981 Fundamental Frolics Self
1980 Boom Boom... Out Go The Lights - 1980
  1. Episode One
Self
1980 Boom Boom... Out Go The Lights Self
1980 Boom Boom... Out Go The Lights Self

Non-comedy TV and film credits may be found here:
Alexei Sayle on IMDb

Born
Thursday 7th August 1952 (72 years-old)
Nationality
English

Alexei Sayle was born and raised in Anfield, Liverpool, by two parents who were members of the Communist Party of Great Britain. Educated at Alsop high School in Walton, he was eventually expelled halfway through sixth form, and attended both Chelsea College of Art and Design in London and Garnet College, Roehampton.

In 1979 Sayle by chance responded to an advert in Private Eye for would-be comedians and became the first master of ceremonies at the newly-opened Comedy Store. The year after, comedy producer Martin Lewis saw Sayle perform at the Edinburgh Fringe and became his manager.

Shortly after, Sayle became the principal performer at the Comic Strip, appearing on The Comic Strip Album and The Comic Strip Presents..., notably playing the two leading roles in "Didn't You Kill My Brother?", which he co-wrote with David Stafford and Pauline Melville. He also played several roles including Vampire and 'Mussolini' Policeman on the much-loved BBC sitcom The Young Ones, for which he also wrote material. He was known here for a distinctly mordant, no-holds-barred approach to comedy, with a forceful, vociferous delivery style.

In this century he has appeared on several episodes of panel shows such as The News Quiz and Have I Got News For You. In 2016 he hosted his own stand-up series, featuring a mixture of stand-up, memoir, and philosophy, on BBC Radio 4. Running for 3 series, it was called Alexei Sayle's Imaginary Sandwich Bar. In 2019 he returned to the platform with Alexei Sayle's The Absence Of Normal, a comedy drama featuring absurd and entertaining stories told by Sayle himself.

He has also appeared regularly on the informal chat-shows Chain Reaction and Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled. In 1990, a fatwa was issued against him by a Muslim cleric from Syria after a joke on his BBC comedy how [c]Alexei Sayle's Stuff] (1988[/y]-1991[/y]). To date, this has not been withdrawn.

Alongside a role in the 1992 Carry On film, Carry On Columbus, Sayle has given his name to the title of many of his own programmes, including The All New Alexei Sayle Show and ALexei Sayle's Merry-Go-Round.

Clearly drawing inspiration from the likes of Spike Milligan and Monty Python, Sayle's comedy is characterised by political cynicism, pessimism, dark turns, and several absurd and surrealist premises that go on for several minutes.

In 2007, Sayle was voted 18th greatest stand-up comic on Channel 4's 100 Greatest Stand-ups, and 72nd on the updated 2010 poll.

Dave Funniest Joke Of The Fringe Award 2017
Main Award (Nominee)
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