The master of mimicry boasts a repertoire of over 100 impersonations and is best known for his work with Ronni Ancona on The Big Impression (formerly Alistair McGowan's Big Impression).

Alistair McGowan is a British impressionist, comedian and actor. He is best known for his work with Ronni Ancona on The Big Impression (formerly Alistair McGowan's Big Impression).

The master of mimicry boasts a repertoire of over 100 impersonations, and as a result has won many industry awards throughout his career including: Best Comedy Entertainment Award at the British Comedy Awards 2000; Best Entertainment Programme at Broadcast Awards 2001; and a Variety Club Comedy Award in 2002.

After graduating from Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1989, Alistair began working as a stand-up comic, playing clubs up and down the country. He soon became known for his excellent impersonations and, from 1992 to 1996 provided the voices for many of the characters on Spitting Image, including Tony Blair, Chris Eubank, Prince Charles and Hugh Grant.

Alistair has appeared as a guest on numerous television shows including: Des O'Connor; Parkinson; The Stand-up Show, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross and The Royal Variety Performance.

Alistair is also a very familiar name in BBC Radio 4's Light Entertainment Department, and has been involved in numerous radio comedies including: The Nick Revell Show; First Impressions and Doon Your Way. He has worked with Harry Hill on When Harry Met Ally and completed four series of The Game's Up for Radio Five Live.

As well as a hugely respected impressionist, Alistair is also a critically acclaimed actor. He won rave reviews in 1999 at Nottingham Playhouse for his role as Clov in Endgame, and Franz Kafka in Alan Bennett's Kafka's Dick in 1998. In January and February 2008, Alistair starred as the eponymous protagonist of The Mikado by Gilbert and Sullivan, in a reival by Carl Rosa Operas. In April 2008 he took over the role of Emcee in Cabaret at the Lyric Theatre and in July of the same year he appeared in a revival of They're Playing Our Song at the Menier Chocolate Factory.

In 2005, Alistair appeared in the BBC's adaptation of Charles Dickens's novel, Bleak House. In 2006 he starred in the detective series, Mayo. He also presented episodes of Have I Got News For You in 2006. He joined the Royal Shakespeare Company for the Christmas 2006 season playing Mr Page in Merry Wives: the Musical (a version of The Merry Wives of Windsor) opposite Judi Dench, Simon Callow and Haydn Gwynne. He has also played Spock in the award-winning BBC series, Preston Front and as Redwald in ITV's Dark Ages.

In 2008 Alistair made his directing debut at Guildhall School of Music and Drama with Noel Coward's classic comedy, Semi-Monde.