Impressionist, actor and comedian Alistair McGowan is heading to West Yorkshire to headline Halifax Comedy Festival.

The 50-year-old, best known for his tongue-in-cheek impressions of David Beckham, Richard Madeley and even Eminem on his BBC comedy show The Big Impression, is set to share the bill with Brummie comic Jasper Carrott.

ALISTAIR MCGOWAN'S BIG IMPRESSION Picture Shows:Richard Madeley (ALISTAIR MCGOWAN) and Judy Finnigan (RONNI ANCONA)

The pair will perform a night of stand up in 'An Evening Shared' at the Victoria Theatre on Thursday October 29.

In preparation for McGowan's visit to Halifax, we've taken a look at his life and career.

Who is Alistair McGowan?

Name: Alistair Charles McGowan

Age: 50 (51 on November 24)

Occupation: Stand-up comedian, impressionist, actor and writer

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What do I know him from?

You've probably seen McGowan's impressions in his BBC comedy series, spied him in a drama or you might have even caught him in a West End show.

During his career he's won numerous awards, including a BAFTA in 2003.

Here's where you might know him from:

  • Spitting Image, where he did some of the voices;
  • The Big Impression with his comedy partner Ronni Ancona, where they were famous for their Posh and Becks impersonations;
THE STORY OF LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - The Impressionists
Picture shows: ALISTAIR MCGOWAN and RONNI ANCONA play Posh and Becks.
THE STORY OF LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT - The Impressionists Picture shows: ALISTAIR MCGOWAN and RONNI ANCONA play Posh and Becks.
  • BBC One's adaptation of Charles Dickens' Bleak House;
  • Appearances on Have I Got News For You, Bake Off for Comic Relief, Mock The Week and Live At The Apollo;
  • In the West End as Emcee in Cabaret, the Mikado in The Mikado, Henry Higgins in Pygmalion and the Dentist in Little Shop of Horrors, for which he received an Olivier nomination.

What's he been up to recently?

He's been playing the lead role in Jonathan Maitland's play An Audience With Jimmy Savile at the Park Theatre in London, and also took the show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Comedians Jasper Carrott and Alistair McGowan, to appear a the Halifax Comedy Festival

Earlier this year he went on a short stand-up tour with Jasper Carrott, before extending it to include autumn dates, including their appearance at Halifax Comedy Festival.

Any other trivia? McGowan is a keen environmentalist, and a patron of the charity Trees for Cities.

And look away Town fans — he's also a big fan of Leeds United! He decided to study at the University of Leeds as a teen partly because it was near Elland Road.