Noel Fielding
Born 1973 · Age 52
English comedian, artist, actor and musician; co-creator/star of The Mighty Boosh; co-presenter of The Great British Bake Off; known for dark, surreal comedy and visual art.
Compare Your Trajectory
See how your career milestones stack up against Noel Fielding and other industry leaders.
Life & Career Timeline
Born in Westminster, London
Noel Fielding born to Ray Fielding and Yvonne (Dianne) Fagan in Westminster, London.
Father remarried; raised largely by grandmother
Fielding's father remarried when Noel was three; he was mostly raised by his grandmother thereafter.
Began writing comedy sketches
At age 13 Fielding began writing comedy sketches, an early sign of his comedy career.
Adopted goth style in adolescence
Around age 15 Fielding became a goth and started using makeup and dressing up, formative to his persona.
Studied at Croydon Art College (attendance)
While at Croydon Art College Fielding met long-term collaborator Dave Brown (exact dates in text not specified).
Started BA in Graphic Design & Advertising
Enrolled at Buckinghamshire College of Higher Education (High Wycombe) for BA in graphic design and advertising (studied 1992–1995).
Illness during art college (glandular fever; suspected hepatitis A)
During art college Fielding developed an illness initially suspected to be hepatitis A but later confirmed as glandular fever, causing prolonged exhaustion.
Graduated with BA; began performing stand-up
Graduated in 1995 and began performing stand-up comedy soon after finishing art school.
Lived with future collaborators (Brown, Coan) in student housing
During BA studies Noel lived with Dave Brown and Nigel Coan; the trio later collaborated on The Mighty Boosh's visuals/animation.
Met Julian Barratt on comedy circuit
First met Julian Barratt when both appeared on the same comedy bill at a pub in north London; chemistry led to collaboration.
Performed together at Edinburgh Fringe (Stuart Lee show)
Fielding and Barratt performed together for the first time in Stuart Lee's show at Edinburgh Fringe (Moby Dick and King Dong, 1997).
Herald Angel Award (stage recognition)
The Mighty Boosh received a Herald Angel award in 1998 during the festival circuit.
First Mighty Boosh stage show (Oranje Boom Boom / Hen & Chickens)
Around 1998 Fielding and Barratt staged their first collaborative show at Oranje Boom Boom and then Hen & Chickens in Islington.
Took The Mighty Boosh to Edinburgh Fringe
The Mighty Boosh stage show performed at Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1998.
Perrier Best Newcomer Award (The Mighty Boosh)
At Edinburgh Fringe 1998 The Mighty Boosh won the Perrier Best Newcomer Award (with Julian Barratt).
Formed the comedy troupe 'The Mighty Boosh' (as duo/troupe)
The Mighty Boosh emerged as Fielding and Barratt's collaborative act in the late 1990s and formalised through stage shows and later radio/TV.
Perrier nomination (Arctic Boosh)
Arctic Boosh received a Perrier nomination/recognition on the festival circuit (listed among awards around this period).
Arctic Boosh at Edinburgh Fringe
Returned to Edinburgh Fringe with the show Arctic Boosh in 1999.
Autoboosh at Edinburgh Fringe
Took the Autoboosh show to Edinburgh Fringe in 2000.
Barry Award at Melbourne International Comedy Festival (Mighty Boosh)
The Mighty Boosh were presented the Barry Award at Melbourne International Comedy Festival after bringing their show there.
The Boosh radio series commissioned
The Mighty Boosh became a six-part radio series on BBC London Live (later transferred to BBC Radio 4).
Solo Edinburgh show 'Voodoo Hedgehog' nominated (Perrier)
Fielding's solo Edinburgh show Voodoo Hedgehog was nominated for a Perrier prize (award listings around this period).
Time Out Comedy Award – Outstanding Achievement (Mighty Boosh)
Mighty Boosh-related recognition: Time Out comedy award for outstanding achievement is listed in awards.
The Mighty Boosh TV series premiered on BBC Three
TV adaptation of The Mighty Boosh began as an 8-part series on BBC Three (series 1 aired 2004).
Created Secret Peter Productions (animation/production)
Fielding and Nigel Coan formed Secret Peter Productions to create animations for The Mighty Boosh and later projects.
Fielding did original animations for early TV episodes
Fielding painted the animations for the TV show's early weeks before passing most painting to Ivana Zorn; Nigel Coan and Ivana Zorn contributed later.
The Mighty Boosh TV series – second series
Second series of The Mighty Boosh aired in 2005 (setting changed to a flat; further cemented cult status).
The Mighty Boosh inaugural TV viewership milestone
Series 3 of The Mighty Boosh attracted approximately one million viewers on opening night (reported during return to TV).
Appeared in other Channel 4 comedies
During the 2000s Fielding had smaller roles in Nathan Barley, The IT Crowd, AD/BC: A Rock Opera, and Garth Marenghi's Darkplace.
Stood in as team captain on Never Mind the Buzzcocks (3 eps)
At Bill Bailey's request Fielding filled in for three episodes during series 21 and set a record high team score.
The Mighty Boosh Live UK theatre tour (Feb–Apr 2006)
Fielding and the cast toured the UK with The Mighty Boosh Live stage show (Ruby of Kukundu storyline).
Shockwaves NME Best TV Award – winner (2007)
The Mighty Boosh won the NME Best TV Award in 2007.
The Mighty Boosh TV series – third series aired
Third series of The Mighty Boosh aired in 2007 (total 20 TV episodes across three series).
Scheduled for film Stardust but dropped out due to ill health
Fielding was scheduled to appear in the 2007 film Stardust but withdrew because of ill health.
Radio role in Vic Reeves' House Arrest
Starred in five episodes of BBC Radio 2's Vic Reeves' House Arrest as a local vagrant character.
Shockwaves NME Best TV Award – winner (2008)
The Mighty Boosh again won the NME Best TV Award in 2008.
Royal Television Awards – Situation Comedy/Comedy Drama recognition (2008)
The Mighty Boosh received recognition at the Royal Television Awards for situation comedy/comedy drama in 2008.
The Mighty Boosh Live: Future Sailors Tour (UK tour Sept 2008–Jan 2009)
Second big UK tour with The Mighty Boosh Live: Future Sailors Tour.
Appeared in Kasabian 'Vlad the Impaler' video
Played the titular Vlad the Impaler in Kasabian's 2009 music video directed by Richard Ayoade; later reprised role live (2014).
Became full-time team captain on Never Mind the Buzzcocks
After Bill Bailey's departure Fielding became one of the regular team captains from 2009 onward (original run ended 2015).
Cancelled planned 2010 solo tour
Cancelled a nationwide solo tour in 2010 to concentrate on writing a Mighty Boosh film with Julian Barratt and creating an album.
The Mighty Boosh won NME Best DVD (2010)
Mighty Boosh won Best DVD at the Shockwaves NME Awards in 2010.
Art exhibition 'Bryan Ferry vs the Jelly Fox' opens
Second exhibition at Maison Bertaux ran from 5 July 2010 through to 5 January 2011.
Received honorary master's degree from Buckinghamshire New University
Awarded an honorary master's degree for ongoing interest in graphics and support for art organisations (6 Sep 2011).
Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy commissioned by E4
Channel 4's E4 invested additional comedy budget and commissioned Fielding's first solo series, produced in 2011; aired Jan 2012.
Released art book 'Scribblings of a Madcap Shambleton'
Published an art book (with Dave Brown) featuring paintings, drawings and photography (Oct 2011).
Video installation 'The Jelly Fox' shown at Saatchi Gallery
Fielding's video installation of The Jelly Fox was exhibited at the Saatchi Gallery; created Beatles piece for Liverpool Love (2012).
Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy series began broadcasting (Jan 2012)
First series of Fielding's solo show began airing on E4 in January 2012 blending filmed comedy and animation.
Formed band Loose Tapestries with Sergio Pizzorno
Formed Loose Tapestries (with Kasabian's Sergio Pizzorno) to provide music for Luxury Comedy; released albums and single later.
Performed Kate Bush 'Wuthering Heights' routine for Let's Dance for Comic Relief
Performed the Kate Bush routine, reaching the grand final of Let's Dance for Comic Relief (2011 performance noted; continued profile through 2013 appearances).
Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy series 2 broadcast
Second series titled 'Noel Fielding's Luxury Comedy 2: Tales From Painted Hawaii' aired on E4 in 2014.
UK & Australia tour: 'An Evening With Noel Fielding' begins
Launched a new stand-up and sketch tour (including brother Michael Fielding and Tom Meeten) across UK and Australia (2014–2015).
Reprised 'Vlad' role at Glastonbury with Kasabian
Reprised his Vlad the Impaler character onstage with Kasabian at Glastonbury (2014).
Named one of GQ's 50 best-dressed British men
Recognised by GQ magazine as one of Britain's best-dressed men in 2015.
Exhibition 'He Wore Dreams Around Unkind Faces' at Royal Albert Hall
March 2015 exhibition showing a selection of Fielding's artwork at the Royal Albert Hall.
Loose Tapestries Christmas single released
Loose Tapestries released a Christmas single (announced/issued around 4 Dec 2015).
Loose Tapestries album release (June 2016)
Loose Tapestries released an album (one source references a June 2016 album release tied to Fielding's work).
Appeared numerous times on The Big Fat Quiz of the Year
Regular contributor/guest on The Big Fat Quiz of the Year across many years (notable appearances before and after 2017).
Contestant and overall winner on Taskmaster Series 4
Competed on Taskmaster (Series 4) in 2017 and was the overall series winner; famously 'married' a rubber duck during the finale.
Announced as co-host of The Great British Bake Off
In March 2017 it was revealed Fielding would co-host the upcoming series of The Great British Bake Off alongside Sandi Toksvig; role began in 2017.
Birth of first child, daughter Dali (with Lliana Bird)
Fielding and partner Lliana Bird welcomed first daughter Dali in 2018 (name in tribute to Salvador Dalí).
Film/TV role: 'The Festival' (2018)
Appeared in film The Festival (2018) as Hammerhead, among ongoing film/TV credits.
Panellist on QI (Jan 2018) and voice roles begin
Appeared as a panellist on QI in January 2018; voice acting roles include Disenchantment (2018–2023) as Stan the Executioner.
Voice role in The Lego Movie 2
Provided the voice of Balthazar for The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019).
Just For Laughs online livestream with Jimmy Carr
During COVID-19 pandemic the Just For Laughs festival moved online; Fielding and Jimmy Carr live streamed a conversation from their homes (20 Oct 2020).
Birth of second daughter, Iggy (with Lliana Bird)
Fielding and Lliana Bird welcomed their second daughter Iggy (reported widely in Oct 2020; some sources give Aug 2020).
Returned as team captain on Never Mind the Buzzcocks (revival)
Fielding returned to Never Mind the Buzzcocks as team captain in the show's later revival (noted as 'again since 2021').
Collaborated with Fendi for Autumn/Winter 2021 menswear
Luxury fashion house Fendi unveiled a collection featuring abstract takes on the brand's logo created by Fielding (Jan 2021; AW21).
Great British Bake Off co-presenter continued (with changes in co-hosts)
Continued co-presenting The Great British Bake Off (2017–present); co-host changes include Matt Lucas (2020–2022) and Alison Hammond joining in 2023.
Ongoing: voice and TV roles 2018–2024 (Disenchantment, Twelve Forever, Close Enough)
Continued voice acting and TV roles across several series including Disenchantment (2018–2023), Twelve Forever (2019), Close Enough (2020).
Lead role in Apple TV+ series 'The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin'
Cast as Dick Turpin in a new Apple TV+ comedy series (2024).
Key Achievement Ages
Explore what Noel Fielding and others achieved at these notable ages:
Similar Trajectories
Charlamagne tha God
Born 1978 · Age 47
Known professionally as Charlamagne tha God, American radio host, TV presenter, podcaster, and author; co-host of The Breakfast Club and founder of the Black Effect Podcast Network.
Negin Farsad
Born 1978 · Age 47
American comedian, actress, writer and filmmaker known for social-justice comedy, documentaries (Nerdcore Rising, The Muslims Are Coming!), the podcast Fake the Nation, and the book How to Make White People Laugh.
Rana el Kaliouby
Born 1978 · Age 47
Egyptian-American computer scientist, entrepreneur and AI leader, co‑founder of Affectiva, pioneer of Emotion AI, author and advocate for ethical AI.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Born 1978 · Age 47
Ukrainian politician and former entertainer; co‑founder of Kvartal 95; elected sixth President of Ukraine in 2019; wartime leader since Russia's 2022 full‑scale invasion.
Farhad Manjoo
Born 1978 · Age 47
American technology and opinion journalist; columnist for Slate, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times; author of True Enough; contributor to NPR.
Steve Chen
Born 1978 · Age 47
Taiwanese‑American software engineer and internet entrepreneur; co‑founder and former CTO of YouTube; co‑founder of AVOS Systems and MixBit; launched Nom.com; later joined Google Ventures and invested in Taiwanese startups.