# Geoff Norcott

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British comedian (born 1976)

Geoff Norcott Born Geoffrey Frank Norcott (1976-12-16) 16 December 1976 (age 49) London, England Alma mater Goldsmiths, University of London Occupations Comedian, writer and political commentator Spouse Emma Norcott Children 1

**Geoffrey Frank Norcott** (born 16 December 1976) is an English comedian, writer and political commentator.[1][2] He first performed in 2001 and has appeared on *[Mock the Week](/source/Mock_the_Week)*, *[Live at the Apollo](/source/Live_at_the_Apollo_(TV_series))* and *[Question Time](/source/Question_Time_(TV_programme))*, and written for *[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph)*, *[The Independent](/source/The_Independent)* and *[Spiked](/source/Spiked_(magazine))*.

## Early life

Norcott was raised in [South London](/source/South_London). His father was a draughtsman for [British Telecom](/source/BT_Group) and an active [trade unionist](/source/Trade_union).[3] His parents divorced when he was nine, and his mother moved with him and his elder sister to a [council estate](/source/Council_estate) in [Mitcham](/source/Mitcham%2C_London).

He attended Southfields Secondary School, before moving to [Rutlish School](/source/Rutlish_School) in [Merton Park](/source/Merton_Park), the same school attended by Conservative [Prime Minister](/source/Prime_Minister_of_the_United_Kingdom) [John Major](/source/John_Major).[4]

Norcott holds an English degree from [Goldsmiths, University of London](/source/Goldsmiths%2C_University_of_London), and worked as an English teacher.[5]

## Early career

Norcott performed at his first comedy gig in September 2001, initially performing as a way of supplementing his teaching income.[6]

In 2003 Norcott performed at Balham's Banana Cabaret, alongside [Paul Tonkinson](/source/Paul_Tonkinson) and [Michael McIntyre](/source/Michael_McIntyre).[7]

In 2005, Norcott was approached to appear on [radio](/source/Radio) and [television](/source/Television), as a panellist and presenter on shows for [Talksport](/source/Talksport), [Nuts TV](/source/Nuts_TV) and the [BBC](/source/BBC).[8]

He received an [Operational Service Medal](/source/Operational_Service_Medal_(United_Kingdom)) for five frontline tours entertaining the troops in [Afghanistan](/source/Afghanistan).[2]

## Recent career

In 2013, Norcott was nominated for 'Best New Show' at the [Leicester Comedy Festival](/source/Leicester_Comedy_Festival) for his show *Geoff Norcott Occasionally Sells Out*, about – among other things – the fact he was now a Conservative voter, which he then took to the [Edinburgh Fringe](/source/Edinburgh_Fringe).[9]

He returned to the Fringe in 2015 with *The Look of Moron*, a further development of his voice as a political comic,[10] and again in 2016 with *Conswervative*, which received wide political acclaim and a successful sold-out run.[11]

In early 2017, Norcott made his first of several appearances on the BBC's *[Question Time](/source/Question_Time_(TV_programme))* and made his debut as a regular on [BBC Two](/source/BBC_Two)'s *[The Mash Report](/source/The_Mash_Report)*, a programme he continued to appear on, including after 2021 when it relocated to Dave post-cancellation.[12]

Norcott took another show, *Right Leaning, But Well Meaning*, to the Fringe the same year to further acclaim, and the show was later recorded as a radio special for [BBC Radio 4](/source/BBC_Radio_4), airing in 2018.[13]

In 2018, he made his first appearance on *[Live at the Apollo](/source/Live_at_the_Apollo_(TV_series))*, and took a new show, *Traditionalism* on a UK tour.[14]

Later the same year, Norcott appeared on *[Mock the Week](/source/Mock_the_Week)* for the first time, being the first openly pro-Brexit comedian on the show.

He has also appeared on several UK political debate shows, including *[Politics Live](/source/Politics_Live)* and *[Daily Politics](/source/Daily_Politics)*.

Norcott has written for a number of UK television shows, including *[A League of Their Own](/source/A_League_of_Their_Own_(UK_game_show))*, *[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown](/source/8_Out_of_10_Cats_Does_Countdown)* and *[Frankie Boyle's New World Order](/source/Frankie_Boyle's_New_World_Order)*.

A 2019 appearance on *Question Time* prompted another online backlash for Norcott, after a clip of him criticising [European Union](/source/European_Union) President [Donald Tusk](/source/Donald_Tusk) went [viral](/source/Viral_video).[15] The same year, he presented the BBC Two documentary *How The Middle Classes Ruined Britain*, in which he investigated issues like how some people 'gamed' the system to secure places in good schools, and accusations of [social cleansing](/source/Social_cleansing) in housing.[16]

2019 also saw Norcott become the first white male to join the BBC's diversity panel, by virtue of his [working class](/source/Working_class) background.[17] He has spoken of the irony of having, as a "straight, white, middle-aged man", taken advantage of diversity quotas to further his career.[18]

In November 2020, it was announced that Norcott would be publishing a memoir entitled *Where Did I Go Right?,* in which he "unpicks his working-class upbringing and his political journey".[19] The book (and audio-book, voiced by Norcott)[20] was released in May 2021 to mixed reception. In a three-star review in the [*Daily Telegraph*](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph), critic Dominic Cavendish described it as a "frank, light-hearted account of how Norcott came from working-class origins in south London to forge a career in comedy" as well as "a sober mapping of the changing political landscape".[21]

## Podcast

In February 2019, Norcott launched a podcast titled *What Most People Think*, in which he aims to "get to the heart of what ordinary people think about social and political issues".[22] Now recorded weekly, the podcast is funded by [Patreon](/source/Patreon) donations from listeners. Norcott claims to have refused approaches from would-be advertisers so as to avoid the risk of his content being influenced or censored.[22] The podcast has been described by [The Times](/source/The_Times) as "amiably polemical".[3]

Many of the episodes have featured interviews with guests, including fellow comedians [David Baddiel](/source/David_Baddiel), [Katherine Ryan](/source/Katherine_Ryan), [Romesh Ranganathan](/source/Romesh_Ranganathan), [Andrew Doyle](/source/Andrew_Doyle_(comedian)), [Henning Wehn](/source/Henning_Wehn), [Marcus Brigstocke](/source/Marcus_Brigstocke), [Simon Evans](/source/Simon_Evans_(comedian)), [Konstantin Kisin](/source/Konstantin_Kisin), [Seann Walsh](/source/Seann_Walsh), [Dominic Frisby](/source/Dominic_Frisby) and [Leo Kearse](/source/Leo_Kearse). Outside of comedy, other guests have included journalists [Owen Jones](/source/Owen_Jones) and [Garry Bushell](/source/Garry_Bushell), actor turned political activist [Laurence Fox](/source/Laurence_Fox), and trade unionist [Paul Embery](/source/Paul_Embery).[22]

Regular minor features which supplement the interviews include a "cuss count" in which Norcott recounts the number of swear words used in the previous episode; a letters section in which observations from listeners are discussed; and a final segment in which Norcott shares recent reviews left for the podcast on [iTunes](/source/ITunes). In reading out listener contributions, Norcott often adopts [exaggerated](/source/Exaggeration) [regional accents](/source/Accent_(sociolinguistics)) reflecting whichever part of the country the correspondent come from.

## Personal life

Norcott lives in [Cambridgeshire](/source/Cambridgeshire) with his wife Emma, whom he married in 2004. In 2014 the couple's daughter Connie, was still-born at 34 weeks, Norcott has spoken openly of their loss and in May 2021 on an episode of [Cariad Lloyd's](/source/Cariad_Lloyd) *[Griefcast](/source/Griefcast)* podcast.[23] The couple now have a son named Sebastian.[3]

Norcott describes himself as a "[right-wing libertarian](/source/Right-libertarianism)".[24] In 2016, he said he was the only outspoken [Conservative Party](/source/Conservative_Party_(UK)) supporter on the British comedy circuit[25] and in 2020 suggested that he is one of only "about six" [right-wing](/source/Right-wing_politics) comedians.[18] In 2017, he was listed by [Iain Dale](/source/Iain_Dale) as one of the '100 Most Influential People on the Right'.[26]

Norcott is an [AFC Wimbledon](/source/AFC_Wimbledon) fan. He attended the [1988 FA Cup Final](/source/1988_FA_Cup_Final) and he used to sell programmes during the Dons' time at [Kingsmeadow](/source/Kingsmeadow%2C_Kingston_upon_Thames), in addition to hosting an event at the new [Plough Lane](/source/Plough_Lane).

## Live tours

- *Conswervative* (2016)

- *Right Leaning but Well Meaning* (2017)

- *Traditionalism* (2018)

- *Taking Liberties* (2020)

- *I Blame the Parents* (2021)

- *Basic Bloke* (2024)

- *Basic Bloke 2: There's No Bloke Without Fire* (2025)

## Television credits

- *[Would I Lie to You?](/source/Would_I_Lie_to_You%3F_(British_game_show))* BBC One, 2020

- *[Question Time](/source/Question_Time_(TV_programme))*, BBC One, 2017 – 2019

- *[Jeremy Vine](/source/Jeremy_Vine_(TV_programme))*, Channel 5, 2019

- *[The Wright Stuff](/source/The_Wright_Stuff)*, Channel 5, 2018

- *[Live Apollo](/source/Live_at_the_Apollo_(TV_series))*, BBC, 2018

- *[Mock the Week](/source/Mock_the_Week)*, BBC Two, 2018

- *Dave’s Advent Calendar*, Dave, 2018

- *[Politics Live](/source/Politics_Live)*, BBC Two, 2018

- *[The Blame Game](/source/The_Blame_Game_(British_TV_programme))*, BBC One Northern Ireland, 2017

- *Edinburgh Nights*, BBC Two, 2017

- *Comedy Bigmouths*, My5, 2017

- *[The Mash Report](/source/The_Mash_Report)*, BBC Two, 2017–2021

- *[Daily Politics](/source/Daily_Politics)*, BBC Two, 2017

- *All Out Politics*, Sky News, 2017 – present

- *[Countdown](/source/Countdown_(game_show))*, Channel 4, 2022

## Radio credits

- *Right Leaning but Well Meaning*, BBC Radio 4

- *Good Week, Bad Week*, BBC Radio 5Live

- *[The Now Show](/source/The_Now_Show)*, BBC Radio 4

- *[Loose Ends](/source/Loose_Ends_(radio_programme))*, BBC Radio 4

- *Breaking the News*, Radio Scotland

- *[The News Quiz](/source/The_News_Quiz)*, BBC Radio 4

## Writing credits

- *[Have I Got News for You](/source/Have_I_Got_News_for_You)*, BBC One

- *[King Gary](/source/King_Gary)*, BBC Two

- *Xmas Live at the Apollo*, BBC Two

- *[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown](/source/8_Out_of_10_Cats_Does_Countdown)*, Channel 4

- *[Judge Romesh](/source/Judge_Romesh)*, Dave

- *[A League of Their Own](/source/A_League_of_Their_Own_(British_game_show))*, Sky 1

- *[The Sarah Millican Television Programme](/source/The_Sarah_Millican_Television_Programme)*, BBC Two

- *[Roast Battle](/source/Roast_Battle)*, Comedy Central

- *Katherine Ryan Stand-up Show*, JFL

- *[Frankie Boyle's New World Order](/source/Frankie_Boyle's_New_World_Order)*, BBC Two

- *[The Misadventures of Romesh Ranganathan](/source/The_Misadventures_of_Romesh_Ranganathan)*, BBC Two

- *[The Fake News Show](/source/The_Fake_News_Show)*, Channel 4

- *[Safeword](/source/Safeword_(game_show))*, ITV 2

- *[8 Out of 10 Cats](/source/8_Out_of_10_Cats)*, Channel 4

- *Round Earth*, BBC Worldwide

- *[The Outlaws](/source/The_Outlaws_(2021_TV_series))*, BBC

- *[Weakest Link](/source/Weakest_Link)*, BBC (2021 – present)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Geoff Norcott"](https://www.independent.co.uk/author/geoff-norcott). *The Independent*. Retrieved 15 April 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-troikatalent1_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-troikatalent1_2-1) ["Geoff Norcott – Troika"](https://web.archive.org/web/20190926094339/https://www.troikatalent.com/geoff-norcott). *Troika*. 19 March 2019. Archived from [the original](https://www.troikatalent.com/geoff-norcott) on 26 September 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:0_3-2) Maxwell, Dominic. ["Geoff Norcott – the right-wing comic who is standing up for the working class"](https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/geoff-norcott-the-right-wing-comic-who-is-standing-up-for-the-working-class-mw9zx7wwq). *[The Times](/source/The_Times)*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0140-0460](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0140-0460). Retrieved 13 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["John Major's schooldays"](https://www.theguardian.com/education/1999/oct/05/schools4). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. 5 October 1999. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** John, Lawrence (23 November 2018). ["Big Interview: Comedian Geoff Norcott explains how at eight-years-old he realised the power of comedy"](https://www.somersetcountygazette.co.uk/news/17240687.big-interview-comedian-geoff-norcott-explains-how-at-eight-years-old-he-realised-the-power-of-comedy/). *Somerset County Gazette*. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Bennett, Steve. ["Geoff Norcott – Original Review : Reviews 2001 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide"](https://www.chortle.co.uk/review/2001/11/01/33057/geoff_norcott_%E2%80%93_original_review). *www.chortle.co.uk*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240229165515/https://www.chortle.co.uk/review/2001/11/01/33057/geoff_norcott_%E2%80%93_original_review) from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["Comedy listings until February 20"](https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6266506.comedy-listings-until-february-20/). *News Shopper*. 14 February 2003. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20240229165241/https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/6266506.comedy-listings-until-february-20/) from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Geoff Norcott Comedian at Big Cheese Comedy"](http://www.bigcheesecomedy.com/comedians/geoff-norcott/). Big Cheese Comedy. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Geoff Norcott Occasionally Sell Out"](https://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/article/53850-geoff-norcott-occasionally-sells-out/). *The List*. 14 August 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Geoff Norcott, comedian tour dates : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide"](https://www.chortle.co.uk/comics/g/221/geoff_norcott). *Chortle*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181019204126/https://www.chortle.co.uk/comics/g/221/geoff_norcott) from the original on 19 October 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** ["Geoff Norcott: Conswervative"](https://edinburghfestival.list.co.uk/event/631796-geoff-norcott-conswervative/). *The List*. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-12)** ["Geoff Norcott"](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1711235/?ref_=nv_sr_1). IMDb. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20250603125534/https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1711235/?ref_=nv_sr_1) from the original on 3 June 2025. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** ["BBC Radio 4 – Stand-Up Specials, Geoff Norcott: Right Leaning But Well Meaning"](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b3bcsp). *BBC Radio 4*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201031174951/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b3bcsp) from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** ["Geoff Norcott: Traditionalism : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide"](https://www.chortle.co.uk/shows/tour/g/27795/geoff_norcott%3A_traditionalism). *Chortle*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190917214331/https://www.chortle.co.uk/shows/tour/g/27795/geoff_norcott%3A_traditionalism) from the original on 17 September 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** ["'Donald Tusk doesn't have the BALLS to talk to us' – Comedian attacks EU Council President"](https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1087584/Brexit-news-Donald-Tusk-uk-BBC-question-time-Brexit-plan-theresa-may). *Express*. 15 February 2019. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20190312000339/https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1087584/Brexit-news-Donald-Tusk-uk-BBC-question-time-Brexit-plan-theresa-may) from the original on 12 March 2019. Retrieved 19 March 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Sean O'Grady (23 July 2019). ["How the Middle Classes Ruined Britain, review: A confusing and hateful account of the class divide"](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/how-the-middle-classes-ruined-britain-review-bbc2-geoff-norcott-housing-state-schools-a9017801.html). *The Independent*. Retrieved 24 July 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Bennett, Steve. ["BBC appoints Geoff Norcott to its diversity panel : News 2019 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide"](https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2019/05/01/42926/bbc_appoints_geoff_norcott_to_its_diversity_panel). *www.chortle.co.uk*. Retrieved 11 December 2020.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:2_18-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:2_18-1) ["The Bunker: Daily: Crossing swords with Geoff Norcott, conservative comedian on Apple Podcasts"](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/daily-crossing-swords-geoff-norcott-conservative-comedian/id1496246490?i=1000502026543). *Apple Podcasts*. Retrieved 11 December 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Tweet"](https://twitter.com/geoffnorcott/status/1324288483758874624). *Twitter*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201105095257/https://twitter.com/GeoffNorcott/status/1324288483758874624) from the original on 5 November 2020. Retrieved 6 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** [*Audible.com | Try Audible Free Today*](https://www.audible.com/). [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181214040507/https://www.audible.com/) from the original on 14 December 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2021.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Cavendish, Dominic (16 May 2021). ["How the Left lost me: stand-up comic Geoff Norcott on going from council estate to Conservative"](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/books/what-to-read/left-lost-stand-up-comic-geoff-norcott-going-council-estate/). *The Telegraph*. [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [0307-1235](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/0307-1235). Retrieved 21 May 2021.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_22-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_22-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:1_22-2) ["What Most People Think with Geoff Norcott on Apple Podcasts"](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-most-people-think-with-geoff-norcott/id1453517233). *Apple Podcasts*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20201101032114/https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-most-people-think-with-geoff-norcott/id1453517233) from the original on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 13 November 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** [*Geoff Norcott*](https://play.acast.com/s/griefcast/-140geoffnorcott), 11 May 2021, retrieved 8 December 2021

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["BBC Radio 4 – Friday Night Comedy from BBC Radio 4, The Now Show – 3rd April – ft Geoff Norcott, Robin Morgan and more..."](https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p088lqy0) *BBC*. 3 April 2020. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20200724172746/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p088lqy0) from the original on 24 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["Geoff Norcott and Grainne Maguire on political stand-up"](https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-36987867), *BBC News*, 5 August 2016, retrieved 28 January 2017

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** Dale, Iain (2 October 2017). ["Iain Dale's 100 most influential people on the Right 2017. May tops it. Davis is second. And Davidson third. | Conservative Home"](https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2017/10/iain-dales-100-most-influential-people-on-the-right-2017.html). *Conservative Home*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20171030152011/https://www.conservativehome.com/parliament/2017/10/iain-dales-100-most-influential-people-on-the-right-2017.html) from the original on 30 October 2017. Retrieved 30 October 2017.

## External links

- [Geoff Norcott](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1711235/) at [IMDb](/source/IMDb_(identifier))

- [Chortle page, with tour dates](https://www.chortle.co.uk/comics/g/221/geoff_norcott/)

- [Geoff Norcott](https://www.comedy.co.uk/people/geoff_norcott/) at [British Comedy Guide](/source/British_Comedy_Guide)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Geoff Norcott](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Norcott) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geoff_Norcott?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.