He did the rounds of pubs and universities, supporting bands including The Style Council, The Housemartins and Billy Bragg. Two years later, he began working for indie label Go! Discs - whose artists included Billy Bragg - where he eventually became press officer for The Housemartins. He has also directed videos for Billy Bragg and the late Kirsty McColl.

And as his poetry turned into comedy, Jupitus remained linked to the music scene, with his big TV break coming in 1996, when he joined BBC2's pop quiz Never Mind The Buzzcocks as a regular team captain.

He also hosted his own show on BBC GLR, where he presented his own show from 1995 to 2000, and became the breakfast DJ on 6 Music in 2002.

As a stand-up, he has performed two UK tours: the Star-Wars-themed Jedi, Steady, Go in 1996, and Quadrophobia in 1999.

Phill also supported Madness on their 2000 national tour, and starred in a sitcom called Dark Ages for Granada Television. In January 2000, he joined BBC1's comedy panel game It's Only TV But I Like It as a team captain, alongside Jonathan Ross and Julian Clary.

He has also provided the voice of Dandelion in an animated series based on Watership Down for ITV and in Aardman Animation's Rex The Runt.

He has also played a patient in Holby City and an embittered sports journalist in the film Mike Bassett: England Manager.