Simon Farnaby is an English actor, comedian, writer, screenwriter and author whose career has moved comfortably between television, film, theatre and children’s literature. Best known for his work in Horrible Histories, Yonderland and Ghosts, he has also become an important behind-the-scenes creative force through screenwriting projects such as Paddington 2, The Phantom of the Open and Wonka.
What makes Farnaby particularly interesting is the unusual path of his career. He has never been defined by acting alone. Instead, he has repeatedly combined performance and writing, often working with the same group of British comedy performers to create projects that became popular with audiences.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simon Farnaby |
| Date of Birth | April 2, 1973 |
| Age | 53 (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Darlington, County Durham, England |
| Nationality | British |
| Profession | Actor, comedian, writer, screenwriter, author |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Years Active | 1994–present |
| Spouse | Claire Keelan |
| Children | One |
| Best Known For | Horrible Histories, Ghosts, Yonderland, Paddington 2, Wonka |
Biographical sources identify Farnaby as a graduate of the Webber Douglas Academy and a former member of the National Youth Theatre.
Early Life and Education
Simon Farnaby was born on April 2, 1973, in Darlington, County Durham, England. He grew up in the north of England and attended school in the area before pursuing professional theatrical training.
In an interview with Tes, Farnaby recalled his school years and discussed the teachers and experiences that helped nurture his interest in writing and creativity. He has also spoken about his early enthusiasm for drama and drawing.
After school, he studied at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art. He also became a member of the National Youth Theatre, giving him valuable early experience as a performer.
That combination of formal acting education and an emerging interest in writing would eventually become central to his career.
Simon Farnaby’s Career Beginnings
Farnaby began working professionally in the 1990s. One of his early television appearances came in The House of Windsor, and he also had an early appearance in the long-running British soap Coronation Street.
His career expanded significantly during the 2000s when he became associated with the distinctive British comedy world surrounding The Mighty Boosh. He appeared in the television series and later in Bunny and the Bull, helping establish the eccentric comic style that would become familiar to audiences.
These early jobs were important because Farnaby was developing more than an acting résumé. He was learning how comedy could be created through unusual characters, improvisation, writing and collaboration.
The Horrible Histories Breakthrough
One of the biggest milestones in Simon Farnaby’s career came in 2009 when he joined Horrible Histories, the acclaimed CBBC sketch-comedy series based on the popular children’s books by Terry Deary.
Farnaby played numerous historical and comic characters, including Caligula and Death. The series became known for turning historical events into fast-moving sketches and songs while remaining entertaining for younger audiences.
Farnaby’s involvement went beyond performing. He became part of a creative group of actors and writers who would continue working together after Horrible Histories. That group eventually became known as the Them There collective.
The importance of Horrible Histories to his career cannot be overstated. It gave Farnaby a recognizable television profile while connecting him with collaborators who would later help produce some of his most successful work.
Yonderland and the Them There Collective
After Horrible Histories, Farnaby and several of his former castmates continued their collaboration with Yonderland.
The fantasy comedy, which aired on Sky One, allowed the group to move beyond historical sketches and create a completely original fictional world. Farnaby was one of the performers and writers involved in the project.
The show ran for three series and a Christmas special. It demonstrated that the group’s chemistry could work outside the format that first made them famous.
For Farnaby, Yonderland was another important step toward becoming a writer-performer rather than simply an actor taking roles created by other people.
Ghosts: One of His Most Recognizable Roles
In 2019, the Them There team launched Ghosts, a BBC sitcom centered on a young couple who inherit a country house inhabited by ghosts from different periods of British history.
Farnaby played Julian Fawcett MP, a disgraced politician whose ghost remains trapped at Button House. The character became one of the show’s memorable comic personalities.
The BBC series ran for five seasons before the creators decided to bring the British version to an end in 2023. Farnaby was involved not only as an actor but also as a co-creator and writer.
The success of Ghosts further established his reputation as a creator capable of balancing broad comedy with character-driven storytelling.
Paddington 2 and Screenwriting Success
While television established Farnaby’s reputation, his film writing career brought him into much larger productions.
He co-wrote Paddington 2 with Paul King. The 2017 film became a major critical and commercial success and was widely praised for its warmth, humor and visual storytelling.
Farnaby also appeared in the Paddington films as Barry, a security guard. His work on Paddington 2 earned BAFTA nominations connected to the screenplay and British-film categories.
The project was significant because it demonstrated how his skills in comedy and children’s entertainment could translate into internationally successful cinema.
Mindhorn and The Phantom of the Open
Farnaby also co-wrote Mindhorn, the 2016 comedy starring Julian Barratt. He had a supporting role as Clive Parnevik.
Another important project was The Phantom of the Open. Farnaby and journalist Scott Murray first worked together on a biography about Maurice Flitcroft, the amateur golfer whose attempts to qualify for the Open Championship became legendary.
Farnaby later co-wrote the screenplay for the film adaptation, starring Mark Rylance. The project combined his interests in comedy, writing and unusual real-life stories.
Simon Farnaby and Wonka
One of Farnaby’s highest-profile film credits came with Wonka, released in 2023.
Farnaby co-wrote the screenplay with Paul King, working from a story by King and characters created by Roald Dahl. He also appeared in the movie as Basil, a zoo security guard.
The film starred Timothée Chalamet as a young Willy Wonka and explored the character’s earlier life. For Farnaby, Wonka represented another opportunity to combine writing and acting within a major international production.
His continuing partnership with Paul King is one of the most notable creative relationships of his career.
Books and Children’s Writing
Writing has never been limited to screenplays for Farnaby. He is also a published children’s author.
His first children’s novel, The Wizard in My Shed, introduced readers to a humorous fantasy story aimed at younger audiences. It was followed by The Warrior in My Wardrobe.
Farnaby’s publishing work reflects many of the same qualities found in his television career: fantasy, comedy, eccentric characters and an ability to entertain children without talking down to them.
His children’s books have also attracted interest from the film and television industry. His representation notes that The Wizard in My Shed was picked up for adaptation.
Other Television and Film Work
Outside his best-known projects, Farnaby has maintained a broad acting résumé.
His television credits include Detectorists, This Time with Alan Partridge, Utopia, Quacks and The Midnight Beast. His film appearances include Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Christopher Robin, Paddington, Paddington in Peru and The Magic Faraway Tree.
He has also worked as a presenter and narrator, including documentaries connected to the discovery of Richard III’s remains and programs examining unusual claims and stories.
This variety illustrates one of the defining characteristics of Farnaby’s career: he has rarely stayed within a single creative lane.
Personal Life and Family
Simon Farnaby is married to actress Claire Keelan, and the couple have one child.
Farnaby generally keeps his private life away from the intense publicity surrounding many entertainment figures. When he discusses family life publicly, the focus tends to be on parenting, creativity and children’s experiences rather than celebrity culture.
In interviews, he has also spoken about childhood memories and the importance of encouraging children’s imagination.
Awards and Recognition
Farnaby’s work has received significant industry recognition.
His writing for Paddington 2 earned two BAFTA nominations, while his work on television has also received recognition. He was part of the team behind Ghosts, which became one of the most successful British comedy series of its era.
IMDb currently lists him with two BAFTA nominations among his professional honors and nominations.
His achievements are particularly notable because they span several disciplines: acting, writing, producing and children’s literature.
Simon Farnaby’s Creative Style
A defining feature of Farnaby’s work is his willingness to embrace absurdity.
Whether playing an eccentric historical figure in Horrible Histories, a ghostly politician in Ghosts or a comic supporting character in a major family movie, he often uses physical comedy and exaggerated characterization.
At the same time, his writing demonstrates an interest in stories with emotional warmth beneath the jokes. Paddington 2, Ghosts and his children’s books all combine comedy with themes of friendship, family or belonging.
Legacy
Simon Farnaby has built a career that demonstrates the value of versatility in British entertainment.
He began as a performer, developed a reputation in alternative comedy, became a major part of the Horrible Histories ensemble and then helped create Yonderland and Ghosts. Alongside those television achievements, he developed into a screenwriter whose credits include major productions such as Paddington 2 and Wonka.
Perhaps the most important part of his legacy is his ability to work collaboratively. Many of his biggest achievements have come from long-running creative partnerships rather than from pursuing the traditional image of a solo celebrity.
Today, Farnaby remains an example of the modern British writer-performer: equally comfortable creating characters, writing scripts, appearing on screen and producing stories for children and families.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Simon Farnaby?
He is an English actor, comedian, screenwriter and author. He is particularly known for Horrible Histories, Yonderland, Ghosts, Paddington 2 and Wonka.
When was Simon Farnaby born?
He was born on April 2, 1973, in Darlington, County Durham, England.
What is Simon Farnaby famous for?
He is famous for his work as an actor and writer, particularly with the Them There collective. His best-known projects include Horrible Histories, Ghosts, Yonderland, Paddington 2 and Wonka.
Did Simon Farnaby write Paddington 2?
Yes. He co-wrote Paddington 2 with Paul King. He also appeared in the film as Barry, a security guard.
Did Simon Farnaby write Wonka?
Yes. Farnaby co-wrote the screenplay for the 2023 film Wonka with Paul King and also appeared in the movie as Basil.
Is Simon Farnaby in Ghosts?
Yes. Farnaby played Julian Fawcett MP in the original BBC series Ghosts. He was also one of the show’s creators and writers.
Is Simon Farnaby an author?
Yes. He has written children’s books including The Wizard in My Shed and The Warrior in My Wardrobe. He has also written books connected with Ghosts.
Conclusion
Simon Farnaby’s career is a story of creative range rather than overnight celebrity. From his early acting work and The Mighty Boosh to Horrible Histories, Ghosts, Paddington 2 and Wonka, he has steadily expanded his role in the entertainment industry.
His greatest strength may be his ability to move between performance and writing. That combination has allowed him to become not only a recognizable actor but also a screenwriter, producer and children’s author.
With major film credits, successful television projects and an expanding body of written work, Farnaby has established himself as one of Britain’s distinctive modern comedy creators.
