John Thomson Stars in Hairspray at The Winter Gardens

John Patrick Thomson, born Patrick Francis McAleer on 2 April 1969 in Walkden, Worsley, is an English comedian, narrator, and actor known for his roles in The Fast Show, Men Behaving Badly, Cold Feet, 24 Hour Party People, The Brothers Grimsby, and Coronation Street. He also appeared in the 2004 TV mini-series Blackpool, playing Terry Corlette. In 2021, he joined the cast of Hairspray at Blackpool Winter Gardens, where he performed alongside Brenda Edwards, Alex Bourne, Katie Brace, and Akeem Ellis-Hyman. The production was directed by Paul Kerryson, with choreography by Drew McOnie.

Thomson’s birth mother, Mary McAleer, placed him for adoption six weeks after he was born. He was adopted through the Catholic Children’s Rescue Society by Andrew and Marita Thomson, a businessman and a bookseller from Didsbury. He grew up with one younger brother, Ben, who was born to his adoptive parents. Educated at All Hallows Catholic High School near Preston, Thomson left with three O-levels before continuing his studies at Runshaw College between 1985 and 1987. There, he took four A-levels, including theatre studies, and was recognised for his natural comedic talent. Offered a scholarship to study in America, he instead chose to pursue drama at Manchester Polytechnic.

During his time at university, Thomson met Steve Coogan, who helped him secure work on Spitting Image. The pair collaborated on several projects, including The Dead Good Show (a 1993 Granada TV pilot also starring Caroline Aherne), Coogan’s Run, the Paul and Pauline Calf video diaries (where Thomson played Fat Bob), and Knowing Me, Knowing You… with Alan Partridge, for which he also contributed as a writer. He frequently appeared in Coogan’s live shows as compère Bernard Righton, and the duo reunited on screen in 24 Hour Party People (2002). In 1992, Thomson and Coogan won the prestigious Perrier Comedy Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Thomson married his long-time partner Samantha Sharp in 2005, and they have two daughters, Olivia (born 2002) and Sophia Melody (born 2010). The couple divorced in 2015.