An Oxford classics graduate, Andy Zaltzman emerged on to the stand-up scene in 1999, when he was a finalist in the So You Think You're Funny? talent contest.

The following year he was chosen to take part in the well-regarded Comedy Zone showcase at Edinburgh, and also made the finals of the Daily Telegraph Open Mic award. His solo Edinburgh debut, Andy Zaltzman versus The Dog Of Doom, was nominated for the Perrier Best Newcomer award in 2001.

Zaltzman has worked extensively with John Oliver. In 2004, they launched a satire night in London and Edinburgh, called Political Animal, which transferred to Radio 4, and since 2007 have hosted The Bugle, a topical podcast for Times Online. They also wrote and starred in three series of The Department, again for Radio 4.

He performed at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival for the first time in April 2007, where he won the coveted Piece of Wood Award for the comedians' comedian.

Zaltzman has also written for several series of Bremner, Bird and Fortune, and in November 2008 his first book, entitled Does Anything Eat Bankers? And 53 Other Indispensable Questions For The Credit Crunched, was published.

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Zaltzman reminds me of the kind of self-opinionated bore I'd end up lumbered talking to on the stairs at student parties. Punchline-light stuff told by an arrogant sulky performer with zero charisma.

DejaVu, April 2002

Different, clever, charismatic and compelling, Andy Zaltzman is a treasure trove of skilled world play, absurdity and surrealism. I could watch him all day.

Stephen Patrick, April 2002

Andy is a comic genius. He is so clever, that he doesn't have to run around the stage pulling faces in order to be funny. His madly crazed ideas and interesting stories do that itself. By far the highlight of any show is when someone tries to heckle him- with a cool, calm voice he shows they have more legs than braincells. I think he will be a massive hit

Clara, March 2002

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