Liza Tarbuck

Liza Tarbuck
Born 21 November 1964
Liverpool, Lancashire, England, UK
Occupation actress, television presenter
Parent(s) Jimmy Tarbuck (father)

Liza Tarbuck (/ˈliːzə/ LEE-zə; born 21 November 1964) is an English actress, television and radio presenter.

Early life

Tarbuck was born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, the daughter of comedian Jimmy Tarbuck.[1] She trained at the National Youth Theatre and RADA[1] graduating in 1986 alongside Clive Owen, Rebecca Pidgeon and Mark Womack.

Acting

Her first big break came in the late 1980s with a starring role in the long-running Granada Television comedy series Watching, in which she played a character called Pamela, opposite Emma Wray.[1] Tarbuck then appeared as Angie in the 1988 Falklands War drama Tumbledown, which also starred Colin Firth, Paul Rhys and David Calder.[1] In 2001, she took the title role in Linda Green, which ran for two series, ending in 2002.[1]

In more recent times, she has guest starred on the Ricky Gervais comedy Extras, and has appeared in The Inspector Lynley Mysteries as DI Fiona Knight. In 2004, Tarbuck appeared in Series 6 of the long-running BBC One comedy French & Saunders, as a fictionalised version of herself, where she had the role of Producer for "Saunders & French Productions" with Christopher Hague-Moody. In 2005, Tarbuck appeared as Mrs. Jellyby in the BBC One serial Bleak House.,[1] and in 2006 she appeared in episode six of the sitcom Saxondale, as a full-figured rock chick.

In 2007, she lent her voice to the animated Doctor Who adventure The Infinite Quest.[2] 2007 also saw her starring in the ITV1 comedy drama Bonkers.[3]

In 2009 Tarbuck starred as Staff Nurse Tina in her first role in a feature film, in The Be All and End All.

She has played Helen in the radio programme Clare in the Community since series 5, taking over from Gemma Craven.

Presenting

After a seven-year break from television, she presented the fashion programme She's Gotta Have It in 1998.[1] Her exuberance, humour and presenting skills landed her a presenting job on The Big Breakfast where she forged a successful partnership with Johnny Vaughan.[1] In 2001, she teamed up with her father for a celebrity edition of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?[1] In the early 2000s, she hosted the Sky One game show Blockbusters and has been a guest presenter on Have I Got News for You. In 2003, Tarbuck hosted Channel 4's Emmy Award winning panel-discussion/gameshow Without Prejudice?.[1]

Tarbuck has also hosted a late-night edition of Win, Lose or Draw, and has also presented Britain's Top Dog, as well as narrating the last series of the British documentary Airport in 2005.

She has also presented a one-off quiz for Five called I Blame The Spice Girls to celebrate Five's tenth birthday. She has also been one celebrity to appear in a series of adverts for the UK supermarket Asda.

She makes occasional appearances on the BBC Radio 4 show Just a Minute, and signed a deal with Sky One to present a show called Pet Nation alongside Huey Morgan in 2010.

She has also narrated the Channel 4 dieting show Supersize vs Superskinny since 2008.

BBC Radio 2

During September 2007 she co-presented the weekday afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 with Mark Radcliffe, whilst Steve Wright was on leave. In December 2007 (and again in January and March 2008), she once more hosted the show, this time as a solo presenter. In July 2008 she once again co-presented with Radcliffe.

In December 2008 and January 2009 she presented the Saturday morning slot on BBC Radio 2 with Martin Freeman. For a week in March 2009 Liza stood in for Sarah Kennedy's popular Dawn Patrol show. In August 2009, she stood in for Jonathan Ross on his Saturday morning show on Radio 2; alongside her on the show was Huey Morgan of Fun Lovin' Criminals. The pair presented the show again in November 2009.

In July/August 2010, Tarbuck stood in for Simon Mayo on his BBC Radio 2 Drivetime Show for three weeks. She stood in for him again from 18–22 April in 2011, from 1–19 August in 2011 and 14–18 February in 2012. Much loved by the listeners, Liza stood in for Simon Mayo again 6-10 April 2015. Listeners asked BBC Radio 2 to make Liza the permanent presenter of Drivetime

In March 2012 the BBC announced that Tarbuck would start presenting her new Saturday night show on BBC Radio 2 from 12 May 2012. It will be on between 6pm and 8pm, and replaces the programme presented by Alan Carr and Melanie Sykes after Carr announced his decision to leave the network.[4][5]

Film and television appearances

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 "Drama Faces – Liza Tarbuck". BBC. 21 November 1964. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  2. ↑ "Doctor Who – News – The Infinite Quest". BBC. 5 November 2007. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  3. ↑ "Bonkers | Primetime | What's on TV – Top TV listings guide, plus soaps, news, prizes and previews". Whatsontv.co.uk. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 4 August 2009.
  4. ↑ "Liza Tarbuck gets Radio 2 Saturday nights". Radio Today. 8 March 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2012.
  5. ↑ Millar, Paul (8 March 2012). "Liza Tarbuck to replace Alan Carr on BBC Radio 2 'Going Out' show – Media News". Digital Spy. Retrieved 8 March 2012.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to: Liza Tarbuck