Jeremy Hardy

Jeremy Hardy is a British comedian from Aldershot, England, born in 1961 and active from the early 1980s. He is known for combining socialist politics with a distinctly English delivery. He studies Modern History and Politics at the University of Southampton before building a career in stand-up.

Stand-up and awards

Hardy begins performing stand-up in the early 1980s and wins the Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1988. His work often reflects left-wing political views and commentary on current affairs.

Radio work

He is closely associated with BBC Radio 4, especially The News Quiz and his long-running series of comic lectures Jeremy Hardy Speaks to the Nation. He also appears on I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue, where his off-key singing becomes one of his best-known running characteristics. Hardy is also part of Just a Minute, and his last appearance on the programme in 2000 draws an audience reaction after he speaks about the royal family in response to the subject “Parasites”.

Television and film

Hardy makes his television debut in the late 1980s, appearing in comedy programmes including Blackadder Goes Forth in 1989. He also presents a television documentary on the political background to the English Civil War and presents an edition of Top of the Pops in 1996. His experiences in Palestine during the Israeli army incursions of 2002 form the basis of the documentary Jeremy Hardy vs the Israeli Army, directed by Leila Sansour and released in 2003.

Politics and writing

Hardy is outspoken in his political views and writes a regular column for The Guardian before being dismissed, reportedly after expressing support for the Socialist Alliance. He supports Danny McNamee as a victim of a miscarriage of justice and also supports Róisín McAliskey, helping raise bail money by remortgaging his house. His stance on these cases leads to accusations of IRA support, which are later retracted.

Personal life and collaborations

He is married to American-born actress and comedienne Kit Hollerbach, and the pair appear together in the radio sitcoms Unnatural Acts and At Home with the Hardys. Hardy is also noted for living in Streatham.