Henry Normal

Henry Normal Partners

Henry has a long association with the comedy artistes Steve Coogan and Caroline Aherne (1963–2016). He co-wrote the BAFTA-winning ‘Paul and Pauline Calf Video Diaries’, ‘Coogan’s Run’, ‘Tony Ferrino’, ‘Doctor Terrible’ and all three of Steve Coogan’s live tours, and he also had a writing hand in the film ‘The Parole Officer’ (2001).

How It Started

Henry Normal started out as a performer, but he was intrigued and motivated by poetry. Working alongside club bands, he became a central figure in the local music scene as a performance poet at local gigs.

Packet Of Three

In 1991 Henry starred in Channel 4’s late night series ‘Packet of Three‘, which blended stand-up comedy with a peculiarly solipsistic sitcom about the staff working at a variety theatre called the Crumpsall Palladium. As the beleaguered and depressed theatre owner, Henry Normal was assisted by stage manager Frank Skinner and kiosk attendant Jenny Eclair. It was at this point Henry decided to concentrate on his work behind the camera and made a Baby Cow.

Baby Cow

In 1999 Henry, alongside Coogan, established Baby Cow Productions Ltd., producing and script editing many classic TV comedy shows and films in the period, while taking on the creative and executive role of managing director. He sold his interest in 2016.

Henry’s Baby Cow

• ‘Human Remains’ (2000) starring Rob Brydon and Julia Davis.
• ‘The Sketch Show’ (2001–2002) starring Lee Mack, Tim Vine and Jim Tavare (BAFTA Winner).
• ‘I Am Not an Animal’ (2004).
• ‘The Keith Barrett Show’ (2004) starring Rob Brydon.
• ‘Sensitive Skin’ (2005–2007) starring Joanna Lumley and Denis Lawson.
• ‘Ideal’ (2005–2011) starring Johnny Vegas.
• ‘Saxondale’ (2006–2007) starring Steve Coogan.
• ‘Gavin & Stacey’ (2007) starring James Corden and Ruth Jones.
• ‘Red Dwarf XI and XII’ (2016–2017) revival of cult BBC sci-fi sitcom.
• ‘The Mighty Boosh’ (2003–2007).
• ‘The Trip’ (2010–2014) Steve Coogan & Rob Brydon.
• ‘Camping’ (2016).
• ‘Moone Boy’ (2012–2015).
• ‘Philomena’ (2013) starring Judi Dench & Steve Coogan.
• ‘Alan Partridge’ (2013).
• ‘I Believe in Miracles’ (2015) documentary on Notts. Forest Euro cup wins 1979 & 1980.

Where Is He Now?

Born in St Ann’s, Nottingham, Henry Normal now lives in Brighton with his wife, the screenwriter Angela Pell, and their son Johnny. He is also a fine poet, performing his work at literary festivals around the UK. Henry has published three poetry books: ‘Staring Directly at the Eclipse’, ‘Travelling Second Class Through Hope’ and ‘Raining Upwards’. He was the founder of the Manchester Poetry Festival (now the Literature Festival) and co-founder of the Nottingham Poetry Festival.

Normal Life

Since retiring from his role at Baby Cow in April 2016, Henry has written and performed two BBC Radio 4 shows, ‘A Normal Family’ and ‘A Normal Life’, combining comedy, poetry and stories about bringing up his autistic son. He is writing a book on autism for Two Roads Publishers called ‘A Normal Family’, drawing on his own family life.

BAFTA Honour

In June 2017 Henry Normal was honoured with a special BAFTA for his services to TV. He was also given an honorary doctorate of letters by Nottingham Trent University and has had a beer named after him in Nottingham!