Mark Watson

Mark Watson
Watson roaming Edinburgh book launch for Eleven in 2012
Birth name	Mark Andrew Watson
Born	(1980-02-13) 13 February 1980 (age 36) Bristol, England
Medium	Stand-up, television, radio
Nationality	British
Years active	1999–present
Genres	Satire, observational comedy, character comedy
Subject(s)	Everyday life, family, politics, stereotypes, current events
Spouse	Emily Watson Howes
Notable works and roles	The Mad Bad Ad Show Mark Watson Makes the World Substantially Better
Website	http://www.markwatsonthecomedian.com

Mark Andrew Watson (born 13 February 1980) is an English comedian and novelist.

Watson was born in Bristol to a Welsh mother and English father. He has younger twin sisters called Emma and Lucy and brother Paul. He attended Henleaze Junior school and then Bristol Grammar School, where he won the prize of 'Gabbler of the Year', before going to Queens' College, Cambridge, where he studied English, graduating with first class honours. At university he was a member of the Footlights and contemporary of Stefan Golaszewski, Tim Key and Dan Stevens. He was part of the revue which was nominated for the Best Newcomer category in the Perrier Comedy Awards at the 2001 Edinburgh Festival Fringe and also co-directed a revue with Key.

Although not born in Wales, Watson used to deliver his act with a common Welsh accent which is not quite his own. He adopted it when he started stand-up comedy saying that it made him "more comfortable to be talking in a voice that I didn't quite recognise as my own". He has since reverted to his own accent.

Watson has appeared regularly at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, winning the first ever Panel Prize at the if.comeddies in 2006 and being nominated for Best Newcomer at the 2005 Perrier Comedy Awards. His other awards include the Time Out Critic's Choice Award 2006 and a Barry Award nomination for best show at the Melbourne Comedy Festival 2006.