London-born Miles Jupp, 44, began performing comedy while studying divinity at Edinburgh University. After graduating, he embarked on a standup career. His screen acting credits include Rev, The Thick of It and Balamory on TV and, more recently, he played Emperor Francis I in Ridley Scott’s Napoleon. On radio, he hosted Radio 4’s The News Quiz for four years. He’s the author of three books including the 2021 novel History. This month, he begins his first standup tour for six years, telling the story of how he survived a benign brain tumour. He lives in Monmouthshire with his wife and five children.
Why is your new standup show called On I Bang?
It’s a phrase I find myself muttering when I’ve been talking for too long. I suddenly realise 15 minutes have passed while I’ve been ranting about unnecessary packaging or the price of train tickets. “Oh anyway, on I bang!” Now the phrase has a different meaning. I had a brain seizure and then major brain surgery, so I’m using it in a more celebratory way. How lucky I am to still be able to bang on?
