Born:
March 06, 1979
in
Chertsey, Surrey
Best Known For:
Being a comedian, actor and TV presenter.
Early-life:
Born Robert James Blair Simpson in Chertsey, Surrey, on March 6, 1979. He enjoyed acting while at school, but didn't pursue it as a career. He avoided university as well, fearing he would end up in heaps of debt, so got a job in public relations instead. It was a former girlfriend, who was also a comedy critic, who persuaded him to try stand-up. Renaming himself Rufus Hound, he got his big break as a TV presenter on BBC Three hosting Destination Three, a late-night entertainment show focusing on the worlds of movies, sport, books and music.
Career:
Hound has also presented coverage of the Glastonbury festival and Top of the Pops and appeared on a number of comedy panel shows and quizzes such as Celebrity Juice, Argumental and Would I Lie to You? In 2010, he played a TV presenter in CBBC sitcom Hounded, and in the same year won the final of Let's Dance for Sport Relief, dancing to Cheryl Cole's Fight for This Love. On the stage, he has starred in the National Theatre's production of One Man, Two Guvnors, and had a successful stint in the stage version of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. In December 2013, he won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special.
Quote:
"I've had incredible opportunities. I rarely turn things down, because I always think it will be fun to try it."
Trivia:
Hound won a Sony Award in 2013 for hosting Radio 4's My Teenage Diary. In 2011, he released his debut stand-up DVD, Being Rude.