Stephen Tompkinson was born in October 1965 in the charming town of Stockton-on-Tees, located in the picturesque County Durham.
His grandfather, who he affectionately describes as a "comic genius", played a significant role in inspiring him to pursue a career in acting. This influence led Stephen to attend the renowned Central Drama School, where he honed his craft and developed his skills.
After completing his studies at the age of 23, Stephen has maintained a remarkable level of consistency in his work, effortlessly transitioning between various mediums such as stage, radio, television, and film.
One of his most notable film credits is the critically acclaimed movie Brassed Off, released in 1996, which garnered him numerous excellent reviews.
On television, Stephen has portrayed a diverse range of characters, including a psychopathic poisoner in A Very Open Prison, a psycho TV reporter in Drop the Dead Donkey, a yuppie in Downwardly Mobile, a priest in Ballykissangel, a veterinarian in Wild at Heart, and a detective inspector in DCI Banks.
In addition to his impressive acting career, Stephen has also showcased his talents on the radio, playing the role of "Demetruis" in A Midsummer Night's Dream for Radio 4.
Away from the spotlight, Stephen is an avid charity cricket player and has even had the opportunity to share the pitch with the legendary Brian Lara, impressively scoring two more runs than the cricketing great.
Stephen's impressive performances have been recognized with numerous awards, including a Best Comedy Actor award for his role as "Damien Day" in Drop the Dead Donkey.
Looking ahead, Stephen has plans to travel to Australia to report for the Holiday programme, followed by the filming of a new series of Ballykissangel in March 1997.
