Mark Benton

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Mark Benton
Born (1965-11-16) 16 November 1965 (age 58)
Alma materRADA
Occupation(s)Actor, television presenter
TelevisionBarbara (1999–2003)
Waterloo Road (2011–2014)
Strictly Come Dancing (2013)
The Edge (2015)
My Kitchen Rules (2016–2017)
Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators (2018–)
Spouse
Sarah Gardner
(m. 2002)
Children3

Mark Benton (born 16 November 1965)[1] is an English actor and television presenter known for his roles as Eddie in Early Doors, Howard in Northern Lights and Martin Pond in Barbara. Benton has also starred in the BBC One school-based drama series Waterloo Road as mathematics teacher Daniel "Chalky" Chalk from 2011 to 2014. In 2013, Benton took part in Strictly Come Dancing, and in 2015 he hosted the daytime game show The Edge.

Since 2018, Benton has played the leading role of Frank Hathaway in Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators on BBC1.

Early life[edit]

Benton was born in Guisborough, North Riding of Yorkshire, England, and attended Sarah Metcalfe Comprehensive School and, later, Stockton Billingham Technical College. Some of Benton's early acting experience came at Middlesbrough Youth Theatre with performances in plays such as Atmos Fear and Twist.[citation needed]

Career[edit]

Benton has a recurring role as Father McBride in the James Nesbitt series Murphy's Law and has starred with Vic and Bob in the series Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) (2000 TV series), Catterick, and Monkey Trousers. In 1999, he played Mickey-O in "The Wedding", the last episode of series 5 of Ballykissangel. He also appeared as an earthly representative of the devil in the 2003 ITV drama The Second Coming and the 2005 ITV drama Planespotting. From 1999 to 2003 Benton played Martin Pond in sitcom Barbara. He has also starred in the BBC Three comedy I'm with Stupid and in the Doctor Who episode "Rose" as conspiracy theorist Clive. In late 2008, Benton starred in the ITV drama Britannia High and from 2009 to 2011 co-starred as Max de Lacey in Scoop. Benton also co-starred in the Roman Mysteries episode "The Slave Girl from Jerusalem".

Film roles include Ricky in Mike Leigh's Career Girls (1997), Phil in the 2001 cult British independent film Mr In-Between, and Vic in the British comedy Three and Out (2008). Benton featured in all three of The Booze Cruise episodes, with Martin Clunes and Brian Murphy, among others. In 1996 he appeared in Catherine's Cookson The Girl.

Benton played the role of the bank manager in a string of eight television commercials for the Nationwide Building Society, directed by Armando Iannucci, shown from 2004 to 2010.

In April 2008, Benton appeared as Jess Yates in the BBC Four drama Hughie Green, Most Sincerely.

Benton did the voiceover for the programme Street Doctor on BBC One.

Other roles have included Connor in Afterlife (2005), Dad in The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus (2009), Hustle (2010), and Farmer Finch in the BBC's Land Girls.

Benton joined the cast of BBC drama Waterloo Road in its seventh series[2] as Daniel 'Chalky' Chalk, a maths teacher, until 6 March 2013. He returned for an episode in series 9.

In 2011, Benton appeared in The Railway Children at Waterloo Station in London as Mr Perks.

On BBC Radio 4, Benton starred as the optimistic title character Harvey Easter in Mr Blue Sky, written by Andrew Collins and broadcast in May and June 2011. A second series was due for May 2012. Benton has also played Fred the butcher in the televised series of episodes by Catherine Cookson.

In 2012, Benton appeared in the one-off special Panto! as Francis, the Director of the play. In July 2012, it was announced that Benton would star as Edna Turnblad in the 2013 UK tour of Hairspray the Musical, starting in February 2013 and finishing in September 2013.[3]

In 2015, Benton appeared as Police Constable Walt Everett in the BBC daytime series Father Brown, episode 3.12 "The Standing Stones". He also appeared as Les in the "La Couchette", the first episode of the second series of anthology series Inside No. 9. In 2015, Benton presented the BBC One daytime game show The Edge for its first series, being replaced by Gabby Logan.[4]

In 2016, UK progressive rock band Gandalf's Fist announced that Benton will voice several characters on their album "The Clockwork Fable"[5]

On 21 August 2016, Benton played Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream (Mendelssohn) in the BBC prom 48. Benton appeared as a bartender in the December 2016 Christmas Special of British Sitcom Outnumbered.

In 2017, he played Dennis Feldman in the ITV drama, The Halcyon.[6]

As of February 2018, Benton is currently starring as Frank Hathaway, alongside actress Jo Joyner in the new BBC daytime comedy drama Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators.[7] Benton played the role of Eddie Rowbotham in episode 2 of the 20th season of Midsomer Murders ("Death of the Small Coppers").[8]

Strictly Come Dancing[edit]

In September 2013, Benton became one of the contestants in the eleventh series of the BBC One show Strictly Come Dancing, where he was partnered with world dancing champion Iveta Lukosiute. The couple left the show on week 10 after losing the public vote.[9] Mark Benton has been in the most consecutive dance-offs in Strictly history with the number of 4 weeks in a row. He got eliminated on the 4th dance-off.

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1994 There's No Business Barman
1996 The Girl Fred Loam TV film
Lord of Misrule Antler Man TV film
1997 Career Girls Richard Burton
Dilemma SWAT Team
1998 The Sea Change Derek
1999 The Lost Son Giant
Topsy-Turvy Mr. Price
Last Christmas Father Christmas TV film
2001 Blow Dry George
Nice Guy Eddie Tony Bentley TV film
A Small Summer Party Euros TV film
Mr In-Between Phil
Murphy's Law McBride TV film
Redemption Road Sherbert Man
2002 Crime and Punishment Zosimov TV film
All or Nothing Man at Bar
Out of Control Governor TV film
2003 The Booze Cruise Dave Bolton TV film
Cheeky Big Mick
2004 The Reckoning Sheriff
Lighthouse Hill Peter
Monkey Trousers Various roles TV film
Gladiatress Stage Manager/Hermes
Quite Ugly One Morning Darren Mortlake TV film
King of Fridges Alan TV film
Christmas Lights Howie TV film
2005 Planespotting Paul Coppin TV film
The Booze Cruise II: The Treasure Hunt Dave TV film
2006 The Booze Cruise III: The Scattering Dave TV film
If I Had You Harry Fielding TV film
Breaking and Entering Legge
Magnolia Gregg TV film
2008 Hughie Green, Most Sincerely Jess Yates TV film
Three and Out Vic
Flick Sgt. Miller
Clash of the Santas Howie TV film
2009 My Last Five Girlfriends Alan
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus Dad
Beyond the Pole Graham
2012 Boys on Film 8: Cruel Britannia Phil
Steppin' Out with Katherine Jenkins Eddie Finch TV film
Panto! Francis de Winter TV film
Apples Lamppost 1 Voice role
2015 Danny and the Human Zoo Syd Noble TV film
Eddie the Eagle Richmond the BOA Official
National Theatre Live: As You Like It Touchstone
2017 Anna and the Apocalypse Tony Shepherd
Ratburger Gary TV film
2018 Torvill & Dean Ted TV film
2019 The Devil Went Down to Islington Barry Grossman
2021 Cyrano Montfluery
TBA Secrets of a Wallaby Boy Roland

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1991–1992 Boon Charlie Hardiman Recurring role, 9 episodes
1992 Desmond's Policeman Episode: "Too Young"
1993 KYTV Policeman Episode: "Fly on the Walls"
1994 Moving Story Detective Constable Halford Episode: "Charlotte, Emma, Bamber & Anne"
Finney Billy Series regular, 6 episodes
1995 The Bill Patrick Hughson Episode: "Hit and Miss"
Kavanagh QC Sergeant Redbridge Episode: "Heartland"
1996 Roger and the Rottentrolls Mook Episode: "The Rubbish Monster"
Screen Two Ambulance Man Episode: "Crossing the Floor"
1997 See You Friday Bernie 2 episodes
Dalziel and Pascoe Jonathan Etherege Episode: "Ruling Passion"
All Quiet on the Preston Front Episode: "Diesel's Ostrich"
1998 Kiss Me Kate Client Episode: "Calendar"
The Jump Timmy Lambert Mini-series, 3 episodes
1999 Eureka Street Chuckle Mini-series, 4 episodes
Ballykissangel Mickeyo Episode: "The Wedding"
1999–2003 Barbara Martin Pond Series Regular, 24 episodes
2000 As Time Goes By Paul Partridge Episode: "Going Online"
Gimme Gimme Gimme Bob Hobbs Episode: "Stiff"
This Is Personal: The Hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper Terence Hawkshaw Mini-series, 2 episodes
Nature Boy Fred Mini-series
Holby City Gavin Cunningham Episode: "Into the Woods"
Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased) Harry Wallis Episode: "A Blast from the Past"
Comedy Lab Barry Anderson Episode: "Anderson"
Human Remains Leighton Episode: "All Over My Glasses"
2001 Dr. Terrible's House of Horrible Sergeant Rohmer Episode: "Frenzy of Tongs"
Micawber Ezra Episode: "Micawber Learns the Truth"
2002 Breeze Block Mr. Shields Series regular, 6 episodes
Nice Guy Eddie Tony Bentley Series 1, Episode 1
2003 The Second Coming Johnny Tyler Mini-series, 2 episodes
Swiss Toni Crazy Alan 2 episodes
Clocking Off Colin Wilkes Recurring role, 5 episodes
40 Gregory Mini-series, 3 episodes
2003–2004 Murphy's Law Father McBride Recurring role, 6 episodes
Early Doors Eddie Series Regular, 12 episodes
2004 Family Business Graham Kirk Series 1, Episode 5
Catterick Mark Series regular, 6 episodes
Born and Bred Mr. Ffotherington Episode: "More Than You Know"
2005 Doctor Who Clive Episode: "Rose"
Twisted Tales Trev Episode: "Guardian"
The Inspector Lynley Mysteries Professor Elias Blackwell Episode: "Word of God"
Afterlife Connor McClune Episode: "Misdirection"
2006 Northern Lights Howie Series regular, 6 episodes
Comedy Doubles Commentator Series regular, 6 episodes
I'm with Stupid Sheldon Recurring role, 3 episodes
2007 Fallen Angel Eddie Episode: "The Four Last Things"
City Lights Howie Series regular, 6 episodes
The Street Wayne Taylor Recurring role, 4 episodes
2008 The Slammer Mr. Beltham Series 2, Episode 13
Roman Mysteries Floridius Recurring role, 2 episodes
Britannia High Mr. Nugent Series regular, 8 episodes
2009 Desperate Romantics Mr. Chadwick Mini-series, 2 episodes
The Fixer Leo Westbrook Recurring role, 2 episodes
Blue Murder Neville Notts Episode: "Inside"
Personal Affairs Iain Ebelthite Mini-series, 5 episodes
2009–2011 Land Girls Farmer Finch Series Regular, 15 episodes
Scoop Max de Lacey Series regular, 39 episodes
2010 Hustle Finch Episode: "The Thieving Mistake"
Coming Up Phil Episode: "I Don't Care"
2011 Silent Witness Patrick Cain Episode: "Lost"
Inspector George Gently Geoff Blackburn Episode: "Goodbye China"
2011–2012 Mr Blue Sky Harvey Easter Series regular, 10 episodes
2011–2014 Waterloo Road Daniel Chalk Series Regular, 49 episodes
2012 White Van Man Kenny Knobbler Episode: "Cupboard"
2013 Walk on the Wild Side Various roles Series 3, Episode 3
2014 The Job Lot Gary Pickles Series 2, Episode 6
Psychobitches Mrs. Noah Series 2, Episode 3
Educating Bitchfield Mr. Lister Episode: "School on Report"
2015 Father Brown PC Walt Everett Episode: "The Standing Stones"
The Holidaymakers Narrator Series regular, 8 episodes
Inside No. 9 Les Episode: "La Couchette"
BBC Comedy Feeds Phil Episode: "Fishbowl"
Doctors Mal McBride Episode: "The Heart of England"
2016 Outnumbered Brian Christmas Special
Damned Mike Series 1, Episode 5
2017 The Halcyon Feldman Series regular, 8 episodes
Tracey Ullman's Show Mayor Bob Series 2, Episode 6
2018 Death in Paradise Les Doyle Episode: "The Stakes Are High"
Midsomer Murders Eddie Rowbotham Episode: "Death of the Small Coppers"
2018–present Shakespeare & Hathaway: Private Investigators Frank Hathaway Series regular, 40 episodes
2021 Vera Stanley Booth Episode: S11E2 "Recovery"
2021-2023 The Nevers (TV series) The Colonel Recurring, 4 episodes
2022 Big Tree City Major Prickles (voice) 6 episodes

Personal life[edit]

Benton has been married to Sarah Gardner since 2002 and has three children. He is a supporter of Middlesbrough F.C. and has featured in the club's official website advertising campaign to encourage other fans to renew their season tickets.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Mark Benton". Filmdienst. Retrieved 12 April 2023.
  2. ^ "Green, Benton join 'Waterloo Road'". Digital Spy. 20 July 2010.
  3. ^ Matthew Hemley (July 2013) "Mark Benton to star in UK tour of Hairspray", The Stage. Retrieved 2013-09-12.
  4. ^ "Series 1, The Edge – BBC One". BBC.
  5. ^ Kielty, Martin (15 February 2016). "Teamrock News: Gandalf's Fist name Clockwork Fable actors". teamrock.com. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  6. ^ "Meet the cast of The Halcyon". RadioTimes. Retrieved 12 January 2017.
  7. ^ "BBC – Shakespeare & Hathaway – Private Investigators – Media Centre". BBC.
  8. ^ ""Midsomer Murders" Death of the Small Coppers (TV Episode 2018)". IMDb. Retrieved 30 April 2020.
  9. ^ Ferguson, John (12 September 2013). "Hairspray star Mark Benton rehearses with partner Iveta ahead of Strictly Come Dancing". Daily Record. Retrieved 12 September 2013.

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