He was educated at Abbey Grange High School. He turned down an offer from Cambridge University and chose Durham University, where he was a member of St Aidan's College[2] and played violin in the university orchestra.[3] He had auditioned for the Durham Revue twice but failed to get in and instead frequented the local comedy circuit.[4] After graduating with a first in geophysics, he commenced doctoral studies in seismology at Magdalene College, Cambridge and had a job for an oil company lined up.[5][6] His interest in comedy prompted him to audition for the Footlights, which he did successfully.[7] Following a performance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, he was contacted by a BBC producer. He then left Cambridge without finishing his PhD to pursue a career in comedy.