Alexander Armstrong Biography

Fast Facts

• Was accepted to Durham School on a music scholarship, but later dropped the cello for the oboe because he thought it was more masculine
• Attended Cambridge at that same time as Ben Miller, his future comedy partner, and Richard Osman, his future co-host on Pointless
• Was offered the job of hosting Countdown after Des O'Connor left in 2008, but declined for fear of becoming pigeonholed as a presenter
• Has presented a weekly programme on the classical radio station Classic FM since 2014
• In 2015, released his debut album A Year of Songs; became the first British comedian to top the UK classical albums chart
• Is the patron of the charity Just a Drop, which helps provide clean water to developing countries