Loved as Neil the hippy from The Young Ones & founding figure of the 80s alternative comedy scene, join Nigel & Christopher in conversation

Nigel Planer, beloved as Neil the hippy from The Young Ones and a founding figure of the 80s alternative comedy scene, brings his memoir Young Once to life in a warm, sharply funny in conversation with storytelling.

As a double treat, Nigel's host will be Christopher Eccleston

From the wild early days at The Comedy Store to the chaotic brilliance of The Comic Strip Presents, Filthy Rich & Catflap, and beyond - to West End musicals and hit pop records - Nigel will share a trove of outrageous tales of the backstage chaos that shaped a generation of comedy: from 20-foot-éclair-related injuries to gatecrashing raves with Robin Williams, Top of the Pops and Band Aid, to auditioning for a stony-faced Robert De Niro.

Alongside the laughs, he will reflect on the bittersweet moments behind the scenes - the friendships, fame and rivalries, and the winding path of a creative life.

Woven throughout the event is a moving, often mischievous account of the long, on-off-on-again love story between Nigel and his wife Roberta, and a life lived somewhere between the footlights and the fallout.

Full of dry wit, theatrical flair, and a knack for finding humour in both disaster and triumph, don’t miss the once-young Nigel as he offers a wildly entertaining and gloriously sideways glimpse into his quietly remarkable career. His in conversation will be part performance, part confession, and all heart.

Copies of Nigel's memoir will be for sale at the Festival and there'll be a dedicated book signing after his event.

About Nigel Planer:

Nigel was an original member of the Comedy Store and Comic Strip groups at the centre of ‘Alternative Comedy’ in the 1980s and is one of the stars of the TV series The Young Ones, and The Comic Strip Presents, creating the character of ‘Neil the hippy’ who has developed national treasure status.

He won a BRIT award in 1984 and has been nominated for Olivier, TMA, What’s on Stage, and BAFTA awards. He is also the voice of the first 15 of Terry Pratchett’s ‘Discworld’ books.

He created the actor character ‘Nicholas Craig’, who has featured in TV and radio series and the best-selling spoof autobiography, ‘I, An Actor’.

He has written plays for the theatre, 3 novels, and the best-selling ‘A Good Enough Dad’ about becoming a father, as well as radio and TV scripts and over one hundred episodes of ‘The Magic Roundabout’ for Channel 4.

He is currently touring as a poet to celebrate the publication in 2026 of his latest collection of poetry; ‘Travelling Light’ after the success of his first collection ‘Making Other Plans’ in 2023.

About Christopher Eccleston:

Born in Salford, Christopher Eccleston is a British actor whose career in theatre, film and television spans over 35 years.

Christopher’s early television work included roles in Cracker, Hillsborough and Our Friends in The North, for which he received a BAFTA TV Award nomination. Christopher was also nominated in this category for his leading performance in The Second Coming. In 2011, he won the Emmy for Best Performance by an Actor for his role in the TV crime-drama, Accused. Christopher also starred in popular dramas, Flesh and Blood, The Shadowline, Lennon Naked, The Leftovers, The A Word, Come Home, Dodger, True Detective - Night Country and most recently in Netflix's hit series Unchosen.

Christopher's film career was launched in 1991's critically acclaimed Let Him Have It. Then, in 1994, he collaborated with the Academy Award-winning Director Danny Boyle on Boyle’s first feature film, Shallow Grave which was closely followed by Jude. Other noted appearances include Elizabeth, 24 Hour Party People, 28 Days Later and Legend.

Christopher has appeared in a diverse range of theatrical productions, including Hamlet (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Miss Julie (Haymarket Theatre), Antigone (National Theatre) and the titular role in the RSC’s production of Macbeth.

Christopher's memoir "I Love The Bones of You" was published in 2019.

He is an ambassador for The Big Issue.

Christopher's headshot credited: Yellowbelly

Description supplied by the event organiser.