Craig Charles (born July 11, 1964) is a British actor, poet and television presenter. He was born in Liverpool, and is best known for playing Dave Lister in Red Dwarf.

Before turning to entertainment, Charles played football (most notably for Tranmere Rovers). He started his career as a performance poet on the British cabaret circuit, appearing on the late-night comedy programme, Saturday Live, and later as a presenter of children's television programmes. He was married to Cathy Tyson from 1984 to 1989 and married his second wife, Jackie, on August 9, 1999.

Craig Charles finally acquired cult status as the Liverpudlian slob, Dave Lister, in the series Red Dwarf. From 1998 until 2004, he presented the game show Robot Wars, on BBC Two and five. He is also a DJ on the radio station BBC 6 Music.

In 1994, Charles and a friend were arrested and remanded in custody for several months on a rape charge. At their trial the following year, they were both exonerated.

Craig was also the voice-over man for the Japanese hit TV-show Takeshi's Castle, shown on Challenge. In 2005 he participated in Channel 4 reality sports show The Games, coming 4th overall in the men's competition, despite missing 2 events due to injury.

External links

• Keshi Heads (UK site with lots of info on Takeshi's Castle with pictures, sound clips and more!)
• [1] Photographs of Craig Charles in Birmingham by Pogus Caesar (1985)
• The Craig Charles Funk Show (BBC 6Music)