After Dinner Speakers: Paul Whitehouse, Matt Dillon, Clarke Peters

You'll hear his catchphrases quoted everywhere you go, but few may know that one of Britain's comedy geniuses began life in a Rhondda terraced house. Whitehouse's father worked for the coal board while his mother sang with Welsh National Opera. For work reasons, the family moved to north London when he was four. It was at university that Whitehouse first met The Fast Show co-star and writer Charlie Higson, but they dropped out and ended up working as a decorators. Their big break came when drinking pal and aspiring stand-up comedian Harry Enfield was booked to perform on Channel 4's Saturday Live TV show, and they helped him write sketches for characters such as Stavros the kebab shop owner and Cockney plasterer Loadsamoney. When Enfield was given his own TV series, Whitehouse joined him on screen to create more classic comedy characters such as the Old Gits, the Self-Righteous Brothers and, most memorable of all, radio DJs Smashie and Nicey (left). On the back of this success, Whitehouse and Higson were given carte blanche to create an even quicker paced sketch programme, and The Fast Show was born. After several TV series and specials, the cast began touring the nation's theatres, giving characters such as Ron Manager, Ted the gardener and Chris the crafty Cockney a new lease of life. Whitehouse has since given his comedy writing and acting skills greater scope in the series Happiness. He also returned to his Welsh roots as a guest star in comedy series Fun at the Funeral Parlour, appearing as sleazy newsagent Harrison Ford and local vicar Father Pertwee.