Richard Ayoade

Biography

Richard Ayoade is a comedian, actor, presenter, writer and director best known for his starring role in The IT Crowd, as host of Channel 4’s Gadget Man, Travel Man, and The Crystal Maze, and as director of the hit indie films Submarine and The Double. He has also written several books including Ayoade on Ayoade and Ayoade on Top.

During his time at Cambridge, Richard joined the illustrious Footlights, becoming President. He went on to co-write the show Garth Marenghi’s Dark Place with fellow Footlights alum Matt Holness. The pair won the Perrier Award for the live stage show in Edinburgh, and Channel 4 went on to produce two series of the cult supernatural mystery parody.

With roles in other cult and seminal comedies including Nathan Barley, Man to Man with Dean Learner (again with Matthew Holness) and The Mighty Boosh, Richard was cast as the archetypal nerd Maurice Moss in The IT Crowd. The show became a huge hit with Richard the undoubted star.

Appearances on various panel shows, including assorted Big Fat Quizzes and A League of Their Own led to presenting roles. He took over from Stephen Fry as Channel 4’s Gadget Man, and then as Travel Man, which saw Richard apply his slightly awkward, cynical take to technology and holidaying. He also fronts the revived Crystal Maze, acting as the deadpan guide to celebrities and the public as they tackle the tasks and trials of the innovative game show.

Behind the camera, Richard made his directorial feature film debut with the coming-of-age comedy drama Submarine, which he also co-wrote. He followed this up with the critically acclaimed adaptation of Dostoyevsky’s The Double starring Jesse Eisenberg. He is also the author of two books, the slyly ironic Ayoade on Ayoade - A Cinematic Odyssey, and The Grip of Film.