There are always those actors that seem to sneak into the small, almost insignificant roles of absolutely EVERY SINGLE television series - you've seen their face hundreds of times, but once again, their name escapes you.
Either that, or you're watching somebody on screen irritably thinking to yourself, 'I KNOW YOU!', but you just can't seem to place them.
One comedian who consistently lands more low-key acting roles in British television is Joe Wilkson. In recent years he's starred in the likes of AfterLife, Sex Education, Derek, Miranda and seemingly a million more popular shows.
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Early life and comedy career
A London-born, Kent-raised Joe Wilkinson took his first steps towards the world of comedy at the age of 29 after attending an 'open mic' night at his local pub. Despite rarely ever giving a glimpse into his private life, the now 46-year-old funnyman reportedly attributes his interest in comedy to his local place and the opportunities that it gave to him.
What we do know, is that during his younger years before he realised that humour was to be his career, Wilkinson - who is instantly recognisable for his bushy brown beard and total deadpan attitude - met his future wife, childhood sweetheart Petra Exton. He married the talented photographer at a secretive ceremony in Brighton in July 2015. The couple do not currently have any children.
He quickly made a name for himself with his deadpan humour, having performed many stand-up shows, including the popular "Joe Wilkinson: My Mum's Called Stella and My Dad's Called Brian". By 2010, he was appearing as a guest on numerous smash-hit television shows including The Rob Brydon Show, Comedy Lab, as well as hilarious panel series' Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week and Celebrity Squares.
Since 2012, the nutty comedian has appeared semi-regularly on rib-tickling spin-off quiz show 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown, occasionally rocking up to cause on-screen havoc as Rachel Riley's assistant, often in costume/performing stunts/bringing on special guests like his model 'half-brother', Fabio.
But which acting roles do you recognise him from?
Now for the good stuff - where else has the comedy king managed to sneak through the cracks of in British television in an acting role? Though let's be honest, he plays himself in everything...
Between 2010 and 2013, Wilkinson appeared in British sitcom Him & Her, about a lazy twenty-something couple, Steve and Becky (played by Russell Tovey and Sarah Solemani). In the series, Wilkinson played their constantly interrupting neighbour, Dan Perkins.
Would it surprise you to discover that Wilkinson appeared in three episodes of legendary BBC series Miranda as Norman the postman? Who knew?
Before appearing in Netflix most-watched hit AfterLife, Wilkinson had previously worked with Ricky Gervais before in his Channel 4 comedy-drama series, Derek. In two episodes, he played the role of Cliff Twine, the twin brother of crude alcoholic came-home worker Kevin "Kev" Twine (played by David Earl).
In 2016, Wilkinson starred in, wrote, and assisted in the production of popular football orientated Sky One sitcom Rovers. He played Lee, a local man who, with his brother Bruce (again played by David Earl) enjoys ragging on lead Pete (Craig Cash) and his footie cohort.
The Gold sitcom The Cockfields, which initially aired in 2019, was written by Joe Wilkinson and... guess who? David Earl again. The comedian also took on the lead role of family man, Simon.
Wilkinson has been playing caravan park bum and nosy neighbour Jeffrey in Netflix immensely popular 'coming of age' series Sex Education, since 2019.
The same year that he made an appearance in the teen comedy show, Wilkinson also landed a role on Ricky Gervais' Netflix hit, AfterLife as nuisance postman, ironically named Pat. He has appeared in every season, including the most recent which aired earlier this year.
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