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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Saw him in Islington in April. You have to be down with politics to mainly get his jokes. It went a little too over my head. Also, he told a very blasphemous joke, I'm all for laughing a bit about Jesus, but it all went a bit too far, he kinda lost the audience.

Elena, June 2008

Seen Andy last week at the Fringe in Edinburgh, very good and very funny, his comedy could be considered rather 'highbrow', concentrating mainly on current affairs, very funny and after polishing his solo appearance at the fringe, the end result was an excellent performance. He's a funny guy, and an afternoon slot was ideal, as his comedy may be a little to complex, if you had had a few drinks!

John, August 2006

I just don't find him funny live. Maybe I'm just not intelligent enough?! As much as I dislike and now avoid his live stuff I really appreciate some of the stuff he does for Radio 4. Political Animal with Oliver (who I really like) has some real moments. So I won't buy tickets but I do tune in

Scott, August 2006

Material is great but he is glaringly uncertain of himself. If he tried to convey the material through a different medium he'd probably do better

Bob Hennigan, January 2006

Saw him at an Edinburgh 2005 preview and thought he was hysterical, good counter-foil to John Oliver and like a intellectually-upmarket Skinner and Baddiel. Very very funny, very very clever but those of low intelligence won't get it But then, I don't think he cares about that and neither do I. Why should he lower his standards for idiots?

Tess, July 2005

I have never seen him actually do stand up but saw him last night as a panellist on Armando Iannucci 'sCharm Offensive - unfortunatly he was neither charming nor offensive, but silent, very very silent. Looked like a fish out of water compared to Armando and Alexi Sayle who clearly were far more experienced. Not a natural comedian and certainly not a good panellist on a show.

[Anon], June 2005

Although I thought some of his stuff was quite funny, and he was a very likeable bloke, most of his jokes were just a bit too clever and by the time you got them it was a bit late to laugh. Not the best comic i've seen, but an entertaining hour even so

Kirsty, March 2005

A refreshing change from the usual. You don't have to be intelligent to understand him, but if you have ever thought there's more to life than wanks and I'm a Celebrity, then you will find him hilarious. One of the best comics I have seen

Richard, November 2004

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