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Phil Ellis – Comedian, Taskmaster Runner-Up and Actor

Freddie Arthur Harrison • 2026-07-08 • Reviewed by Maya Thompson

Anyone who watched Taskmaster Series 20 probably remembers Phil Ellis – the comedian who brought off-beat observations and physical comedy to every task. Before that Channel 4 spotlight, he had already earned an Edinburgh Comedy Award panel prize and a Sky Best Comedy Show nomination, and his official biography calls him an award-winning performer.

Full name: Phillip Michael Ellis ·
Born: 16 October 1981 ·
Occupation: Stand-up comedian, actor, writer ·
Known for: Drunk History, Taskmaster ·
Years active: 2000s–present ·
Website: www.philelliscomedy.com

Quick snapshot

1Biography
2TV Appearances
  • Drunk History (2016) (Official site)
  • Taskmaster (2025) (Avalon)
  • Funz and Gamez (BBC Three, 2014) (Official site)
3Personal Life
  • Marital status: Not publicly confirmed (Official site)
  • Children: Unknown (Official site)
4Awards
  • Edinburgh Comedy Award panel prize (2014) (Official site)
  • Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality (Official site)
  • Taskmaster runner-up (2025) (Avalon)

Four key facts about Phil Ellis, one pattern: every major milestone – from his Edinburgh Fringe breakthrough to his national tour – comes from the same well of original, audience-driven comedy.

Full name Phillip Michael Ellis
Born 16 October 1981
Occupation Stand-up comedian, actor, writer
Known for Drunk History, Taskmaster
Years active 2000s–present
Website www.philelliscomedy.com
Notable awards Edinburgh Comedy Award panel prize (2014), Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality, ISH Comedy Award
Agent Avalon Management

The implication: Ellis’s career is built on live performance recognition, not just screen exposure. His awards and nominations come from the stage, which gives his TV work an authentic comedy pedigree.

Who is Phil Ellis?

Phil Ellis is an English stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. He performs off-beat observational material and physical comedy, as described on his official website. He is represented by Avalon, the major UK talent agency, which notes that he has won the Malcolm Hardee Award twice and the ISH Comedy Award for Best Show (Avalon client profile).

Why this matters

Ellis is one of the few comedians who has translated fringe success into a national radio sitcom and a TV competition win – a career path that relies on both critical acclaim and audience connection.

The implication: Ellis’s comedy is built on live performance and radio recognition.

What is Phil Ellis known for?

Ellis is known for his distinctive comedy style, which blends structured chaos with audience participation. His Edinburgh show Funz and Gamez won the Edinburgh Comedy Award panel prize in 2014 and later transferred to BBC Radio 4 and BBC Three (Official site). He also starred in and co-wrote three series of the BBC Radio 4 sitcom Phil Ellis is Trying, which was nominated for a BBC Audio Award in 2019 (Avalon).

  • Sky Best Comedy Show nominee at the 2023 Edinburgh Comedy Awards
  • Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality (for Phil Ellis’s Excellent Comedy Show)
  • ISH Comedy Award for Best Show
  • Taskmaster Series 20 runner-up (2025)
Bottom line: Phil Ellis is a critically acclaimed stage comedian whose radio sitcom, Edinburgh prizes, and Taskmaster run have made him a recognised name in British comedy. For fans of off-beat humour, his live shows and BBC Radio 4 series are essential listening.
The upshot

Ellis’s recognition comes primarily from the live circuit and radio – he has not yet broken into mainstream TV drama, but his Taskmaster appearance has broadened his audience significantly.

The pattern: his awards and nominations come primarily from the stage.

What TV shows has Phil Ellis been in?

Ellis’s television credits include a mix of panel shows, comedy series, and a feature film. Here is a list of his known appearances, drawn from his official biography and IMDb profile.

  • Drunk History (2016) – Episode: “The Birth of Rock and Roll”
  • Born Silly (2017) – Short film
  • Phil’s Ill (2010) – Short film
  • Eaten by Lions (2018) – Feature film
  • Taskmaster (2025) – Series 20, Channel 4
  • Funz and Gamez (BBC Three, 2014) – Television adaptation of his Edinburgh show (Official site)

The pattern: Ellis’s TV work is sporadic but strategic – each appearance either adapts his live material or places him in a comedy context that showcases his improvisational skills.

Is Phil Ellis married?

Phil Ellis’s marital status is not publicly confirmed. His official biography and agency profile do not mention a spouse or partner. In interviews and social media posts, he has not disclosed a relationship. The same applies to his height and net worth – these details are not available from authoritative sources.

What to watch

Fans searching for personal details should be cautious: many third-party websites claim to know his marital status, salary, or height, but none of these claims are backed by Ellis himself or his official representatives.

The catch: any personal details online should be treated with caution.

How old is Phil Ellis?

Phil Ellis was born on 16 October 1981, according to his official website (Official site). As of today, that makes him 43 years old. His birthplace is not specified in the available sources, but he is described as an English comedian.

  • Date of birth: 16 October 1981
  • Age: 43 (as of 2025)
  • Nationality: English

What this means: his age is public knowledge but birthplace remains unconfirmed.

Confirmed facts

Confirmed facts

  • Born 16 October 1981
  • English comedian
  • Appeared on Drunk History, Taskmaster
  • Won Edinburgh Comedy Award panel prize (2014)
  • Won Malcolm Hardee Award twice
  • Nominated for BBC Audio Award (2019)

What’s unclear

  • Marital status
  • Height
  • Net worth
  • Exact birthplace
  • Children
  • Early life and education

The summary: confirmed facts are limited to official sources.

Quotes

“Phil Ellis is an award-winning comedian and the star of Taskmaster on Channel 4.”

— Phil Ellis’s official biography (philelliscomedy.com)

“Phil Ellis became an instant fan favourite during Series 20 of Taskmaster.”

— Avalon client profile (Avalon)

For a comedian whose career has been built on live performance and radio, the Taskmaster platform has given him a new national audience. The question now is whether he will translate that momentum into television production or a wider touring schedule.

Frequently asked questions

What is Phil Ellis’s Instagram handle?

His Instagram is @philelliscomedy, but the account is not publicly verified. Always check his official website for correct links.

What is Phil Ellis’s official website?

www.philelliscomedy.com – it contains his biography, tour dates, and contact information.

Who is Phil Ellis’s agent?

He is represented by Avalon, a major UK talent agency. Their profile for him is at avalonuk.com/clients/phil-ellis/.

What is Phil Ellis’s Edinburgh Fringe show called?

His 2023 show was Hedgehog, which led to his first national tour. Earlier shows include Au Revoir (2019) and Funz and Gamez (2014).

Is Phil Ellis touring in 2025?

His first national tour, Bath Mat, sold out immediately and added extra dates. Check his official site for current tour information.

How did Phil Ellis get started in comedy?

He began performing stand-up in the 2000s, and his breakthrough came with Funz and Gamez at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2014, which won the panel prize.

What is Phil Ellis’s real name?

His full name is Phillip Michael Ellis, as stated on his official biography.

Does Phil Ellis have any awards?

Yes – he has won the Edinburgh Comedy Award panel prize, the Malcolm Hardee Award twice, and the ISH Comedy Award. He was also nominated for the Sky Best Comedy Show at the 2023 Edinburgh Comedy Awards.

The implication: these FAQs address common search queries.

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Freddie Arthur Harrison

About the author

Freddie Arthur Harrison

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.