Ian Kirkby

Ian Kirkby is a British actor and writer. He is best known for his role as DI Harry Batt on the children's programme Dick & Dom in da Bungalow & Diddy TV and Sandy Toes on Swashbuckle. Additionally, he has appeared in Diddy Movies and The Slammer.

Career

In his early years, Kirkby became a member of the Central Junior Television Workshop. From there he was selected as an extra in 1987 in ITV sitcom, Hardwicke House.[1] In 1992, Kirkby graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and was employed in a number of minor roles in theatre and television productions. He also spent a year with the Royal Shakespeare Company and performed in the West End.[2] In 2003, Kirkby was hired by the BBC to play Newcastle detective, Harry Batt on CBBC's Dick and Dom in da Bungalow. Kirkby said he based the character of Harry Batt on a "Seventies Sweeney stereotype, but with a Geordie accent." The character was only intended to be a one-time appearance; however, the character became popular so Kirkby reprised the role as a recurring character and a regular actor until the end of the programme in 2006.[3] Kirkby also played Harry Batt in Da Dick and Dom Dairies and The Legend of Dick and Dom.[4] During this time, he also co-wrote a programme for CBBC based around Harry Batt, which was broadcast in 2007.[5]

Also in 2006, in a role that Kirkby was permitted to write for himself,[3] played the role of Mr. Burgess in the talent programme The Slammer.[6] In 2010, Kirkby was hired by Channel 4 to play commentator Terry McIlroy in the comedy Pete versus Life.[7]

Personal life

Kirkby is a fan of association football; however, he had expressed a dislike of motor racing as "just a waste of petrol".[8]

Filmography

Television

Year Series Role Notes
1983–1989 Dramarama Various characters Appeared in four episodes
1985–1988 Your Mother Wouldn't Like It Loaf Main cast member
1987 Hardwicke House Unnamed pupil
1988 Hard Cases Peter Collinson
1990 Palace Hill Chelsea Bun

Appeared in all seven episodes

1994 Pie in the Sky Second Police Constable Episode 1.7: "Passion Fruit Fool"
1995 Peak Practice Edward Turrell Episode 3.12: "Giving Up"
1998 Picking up the Pieces Peter Episode 1.8
2000 Doctors Graham Tremain Episode 2.52
2003 Dangerville Jack Jackson

Appeared in thirteen episodes

2004–2006 Dick and Dom in da Bungalow Various characters Appeared in the majority of series 3 and all the episodes of series 4 and 5
2004 55 Degrees North Jack Timson Episode 1.3
2005 Wire in the Blood Steve Bentley Episode 3.4: "Synchronicity"
Julian Fellowes Investigates: A Most Mysterious Murder – The Case of Rose Harsent Albert Goodchild
2006–15 The Slammer Mr. Burgess Appeared in all episodes
2006 Mayo Joe Wishart Episode 1.6
Coronation Street Simon Stevens Appeared in four episodes
2007 Harry Batt Harry Batt Also writer
Casualty Pete Frampton Episode 22.18: "Take a Cup of Kindness Yet" and 22.19: "For Auld Lang Syne"
2008 Uncle Max Biker dad Episode 2.9: "Uncle Max at the Supermarket"
2009–2010 The Legend of Dick and Dom Appeared in all three series playing over 40 characters
Nuzzle and Scratch Mr Sandy Bottom Episode 4: "Beach Attendant"
2009 Gigglebiz Cinema Manager/Mayor/Janitor 3 episodes
2010 Pete versus Life Terry McIlroy All 5 episodes
2012-2014 Diddy Movies Various
2016–2018 Diddy TV Harry Batt/Various All 19 episodes
2016 Sam & Mark's Big Friday Wind-Up Mr. Burgess Guest
2016 Rank the Prank Various characters 2 episode
CBBC HQ Harry Batt Guest
2020 Crackerjack! Various Characters
2021-present Swashbuckle Sandy from (Series 7 onwards)

Films

Year Film Role Notes
1997 Jilting Joe Traffic Cop
1999 Whatever Happened to Harold Smith? Policeman
2008 My Last Five Girlfriends Tour guide

References

  1. ^ "School's Out!". Off The Telly. Archived from the original on 5 March 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  2. ^ "Ian Kirkby". Mercury Theatre. 22 February 1999. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  3. ^ a b "Da Bungalow Ian is back on stage". Gazette News. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  4. ^ https://www.imdb.com/character/ch0256233/filmotype Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine [user-generated source]
  5. ^ Written by Ian Kirkby (12 January 2007). "Harry Batt". Pilot. Episode 1. BBC. BBC1.
  6. ^ "The Slammer". UKGameshows. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  7. ^ "Pete Versus Life – Character Guide". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 24 April 2013.
  8. ^ "The Commentators Interview". British Comedy guide. 30 July 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2013.