Phil Cornwell
Biography
Philip Cornwell is an English comedian, actor, impressionist, and writer born on October 5, 1957, in Southend, Essex, England. He is recognized for his work in the Dead Ringers television and radio series and for providing the voice of Murdoc Niccals for the virtual band Gorillaz. His television and film credits include roles in The Glam Metal Detectives, Stella Street, and the Comic Strip film Detectives on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown, where he played Dave Spanker. He is also known for portraying the character DJ Dave Clifton in I'm Alan Partridge and Alpha Papa. Additional credits associated with his career include appearances in Pán času and Podfukáři. He has accumulated 105 known acting credits throughout his career.
Career overview
Philip Cornwell is an English comedian, actor, impressionist, and writer born on October 5, 1957, in Southend, Essex. He has established a career in both television and radio, gaining recognition in the United Kingdom for his work on the Dead Ringers series. Internationally, he is known for providing the voice of the character Murdoc Niccals for the virtual band Gorillaz. His acting credits include roles in the television series I'm Alan Partridge and the film Alpha Papa, where he portrayed the character DJ Dave Clifton.
Throughout his career, Cornwell has contributed to various projects as both a performer and a writer. He co-wrote and performed principal roles in the productions The Glam Metal Detectives and Stella Street. Additionally, he has appeared in films produced by the Comic Strip, including the role of Dave Spanker in Detectives on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown. Other projects associated with his filmography include appearances in the productions Podfukáři and Pán času. With over 100 known credits, Cornwell remains an active figure in the entertainment industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
109 titles- Scotty (2026) as Matio (voice)
- Napoleon (2023) as Sanson the Bourreau
- Gorillaz | MTV World Stage (2023) as Murdoc Niccals [Gorillaz]
- Sister Boniface Mysteries (2022) as Len Shepherd
- Man vs Bee (2022) as Armstrong
- Gorillaz | Flow Festival 2022 (2022) as Murdoc Niccals
- Murder, They Hope (2021) as Tony
- Gorillaz | Song Machine Live From Kong (2021) as Murdoc Niccals
- Gorillaz Present: Song Machine LIVE (2020) as Murdoc Niccals [Gorillaz]
- Gorillaz: Reject False Icons (2019) as Murdoc Niccals [Gorillaz] (voice)
- Gorillaz | Sziget Festival 2018 (ARTE Concert) (2018) as Murdoc Niccals
- Gorillaz | Live Rock Am Ring (2018) as Murdoc Niccals
- Strike (2017) as Carl Oakden
- Urban Myths (2017) as Mick Jagger (voice)
- Gorillaz | Humanz Live in Cologne (2017) as Murdoc Niccals [Gorillaz]
- Gorillaz at Zénith 2017 (2017) as Murdoc Niccals
- Alan Partridge: Why, When, Where, How And Whom? (2017) as Himself
- Damned (2016) as 'Animal' Hames
- Jericho (2016) as Joe Capstick
- Inside Buckingham Palace (2015) as Narrator
- Puppy Love (2014)
- The Comedy Vaults: BBC2's Hidden Treasure (2014) as Self
- Father Brown (2013) as Kount Volker
- Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013) as Dave Clifton
- Ye Olde Dragons' Den (2013) as Theo Paphitis
- Call the Midwife (2012) as Bernard
- Pramface (2012)
- Mrs Biggs (2012) as DS Jack Slipper
- Cockneys vs Zombies (2012) as Grainger
- 30 Years of Comic Strip (2012)
- Five Go to Rehab (2012) as Rooky
- Mrs Biggs (2012) as DS Jack Slipper
- Mid Morning Matters with Alan Partridge (2010) as Dave Clifton
- Made in Dagenham (2010) as Dave
- Gorillaz: Plastic Beach Live at La Musicale (2010) as Murdoc Niccals [Gorillaz]
- Gorillaz: Live at Roundhouse in London (2010) as Murdoc Niccals
- Misfits (2009) as Geoff
- Phoo Action (2008) as Jimmy Freebie (voice)
- Headcases (2008)
- CelebAir (2008) as Self
- Bananaz (2008) as Self / Murdoc Niccals
- Skins (2007) as Diesel
- M.I. High (2007) as Reverend Nye / Von Quark
- I Could Never Be Your Woman (2007) as Cameraman
- The Shadow in the North (2007) as Harris
- Ronni Ancona & Co (2007)
- Lady Godiva: Back in the Saddle (2007) as Mayor Osbourne
- Not Going Out (2006) as Police Officer
- Scoop (2006) as Tenant
- Chromophobia (2006) as Murray
- Best Ever Spitting Image (2006) as Dec
- Gorillaz: Demon Days Live at the Manchester Opera House (2006) as Murdoc Niccals [Gorillaz]
- On The Island (2006) as Murdoc Niccals (voice)
- Gorillaz | Phase Two: Slowboat to Hades (2006) as Murdoc Niccals
- Doctor Who (2005) as Stallholder
- Harry & Paul (2005)
- Twisted Tales (2005) as Doc
- King Arthur's Disasters (2005)
- Colour Me Kubrick (2005) as Police Sgt
- Sex Actually (2005) as Roy
- Gorillaz Talent Quest (2005) as Murdoc Niccals (voice)
- Hustle (2004) as Seedy Bob
- Stupid! (2004) as King Stupid
- 55 Degrees North (2004) as DI Simpkins
- Dunkirk (2004) as Harry Noakes
- Stella Street (2004)
- Stella Street (2004) Writer
- Churchill: The Hollywood Years (2004) as Martin Boorman
- Churchill: The Hollywood Years (2004) Additional Dialogue
- Celebrity Mastermind (2003)
- The Terry and Gaby Show (2003)
- Meg and Mog (2003) as Mog
- Spine Chillers (2003)
- Dead Ringers (2002)
- Fancy Dress (2002) as Murdoc Niccals (voice)
- My Wrongs #8245–8249 & 117 (2002) as Gerbil (voice)
- The Eel (2002) as Murdoc Niccals (voice)
- Gorillaz | Phase One: Celebrity Take Down (2002) as Murdoc Niccals [Gorillaz]
- Murder in Mind (2001) as Jim Broutaby
- World of Pub (2001)
- Large (2001) as Barry 'Blaze' Mouseley
- Charts of Darkness (2001) as Self / Murdoc
- Gormenghast (2000) as Professor Shred
- Black Cab (2000) as Dave
- Blood (2000)
- Out of Depth (2000) as Ed
- Sunburn (1999) as Delegate
- Big Train (1998)
- Big Train (1998) as Stare-Out Commentator
- Midsomer Murders (1997) as Eddie Rayner
- I'm Alan Partridge (1997) as Dave Clifton
- Stella Street (1997)
- The Imitators (1996) as Lard
- Soccer AM (1995) as Self
- The Glam Metal Detectives (1995)
- Ready, Steady, Cook (1994) as Self - Guest
- Space Virgins from Planet Sex (1993) as Professor / Jerry the Driver
- Detectives on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown (1993) as Dave Spanker
- Gregory: Diary of a Nutcase (1993) as Charlie
- Frank Sidebottom's Fantastic Shed Show (1992) as PC
- Red Nose of Courage (1992) as MP with Dog
- The Crying Game (1992) as Jimmy Twizzle/Wiggy
- Wild Turkey (1992) as Turkey
- Amnesty International's Big 30 (1991) as Self
- The Word (1990)
- Lovejoy (1986) as Syd Bishop
- Get Fresh (1986) as The Alien (voice)
- Get Fresh (1986) as Gilbert (voice)
- JerUSAlem (1986) as Hooligan
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Phil Cornwell best known for?
Phil Cornwell is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Scotty (2026), Napoleon (2023), Sister Boniface Mysteries (2022), Man vs Bee (2022).
When and where was Phil Cornwell born?
Phil Cornwell was born on October 5, 1957 in Southend, Essex, England, UK.
How many credits does Phil Cornwell have?
Phil Cornwell has accumulated over 109 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1986 to 2026.
What is Phil Cornwell's background in cinema and television?
Philip Cornwell is an English comedian, actor, impressionist, and writer born on October 5, 1957, in Southend, Essex, England. He is recognized for his work in the Dead Ringers television and radio series and for providing the voice of Murdoc Niccals for the virtual band Gorillaz. His television and film credits includ...
Phil Cornwell by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Murder in Mind (2001) as Jim Broutaby — aged about 43
- Skins (2007) as Diesel — aged about 49
- Hustle (2004) as Seedy Bob — aged about 46
- Father Brown (2013) as Kount Volker — aged about 55
- Misfits (2009) as Geoff — aged about 51
- Doctor Who (2005) as Stallholder — aged about 47
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