 He studied English and French Literature at Bristol University.As a comedian, Cole was half of successful but short-lived stand-up double act, Hitchcock's Half Hour, which won the coveted Hackney Empire New Act of the Year competition in 1998.They supported Harry Hill and Ennio Marchetto in West End Theatres, and appeared on BBC1's "The Stand Up Show", BBC Radio 4's "Loose Ends" and contributed to Channel 4's "The Eleven O'Clock Show" before splitting up in 2000.