Michael Pennington

  • Actor

Press clippings

Johnny Vegas at the Hay Festival

Michael Pennington says his comic alter ego helped him get over his traumatic childhood experiences at seminary school.

Karen Price, Wales Online, 23rd May 2014

Michael Pennington on life as Johnny Vegas

It's been quite an ordeal, but Michael Pennington is happier now he's exorcised his foul-mouthed alter ego Johnny Vegas, to whom he owes everything.

Janet Christie, The Scotsman, 22nd December 2013

Johnny Vegas: Here's Johnny... or is it Michael?

Without alcohol, Johnny Vegas was simply Michael Pennington, a quiet, gently witty guy with none of the unrelenting bravado of his acerbic alter ego.

Laura Davis, Liverpool Echo, 25th October 2013

Johnny Vegas: it's time to say goodbye to his alter-ego

His boozing, sharp-witted and crass alter-ego might have got him where he is today, but Michael Pennington, the man behind the mask, has finally revealed why it's time to say goodbye to Johnny Vegas.

Kelby McNally, The Daily Express, 21st October 2013

Johnny Vegas needed two bottles of vodka for alter-ego

Michael Pennington, the man behind Britain's best loved slob Johnny Vegas, admits his comic creation is 'both a blessing and a curse'. At one stage he was drinking two bottles of vodka a day.

Hanah Stephenson, The Mirror, 9th October 2013

Has Johnny Vegas played his final gig?

"It was really hard regaining control of myself from Johnny. In the end he was quite manipulative. I am reluctant to let Johnny back out the box again," says Michael Pennington, the man behind the persona.

Susanna Lazarus, Radio Times, 8th October 2013

Johnny Vegas: 'I had no fear of death'

Channelling an 18-stone drunken loudmouth made him a national icon - but endangered his health, his reputation and his family. Michael Pennington tells Emine Saner how he escaped Johnny Vegas.

Emine Saner, The Guardian, 24th September 2013

Comedy gold: Johnny Vegas's Live at the Benidorm Palace

The shambling Michael Pennington will keep you laughing from the moment you hear his character's name to the last of his merciless exercises in embarrassing his audience.

Leo Benedictus, The Guardian, 31st January 2013

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