Nigel Harman - Childhood and Early Career

Childhood and Early Career

Nigel grew up in Woldingham, Surrey and was educated at elite Dulwich College. However, he found school difficult: "I was never comfortable sitting down. I always wanted to get involved in something, not just learn and write. I was in so much trouble I had my own desk in detention." His father was a bank manager, but also involved in amateur dramatics including work with CODA (Croydon operatic and Dramatic Association), an interest which was passed on to Nigel. His mother was also involved in the productions; though she died when Nigel was 18.

By the age of 8 he already had a manager and in 1984 he made his first major television appearance in the BBC1 drama series Tenko which was followed by appearances in Alas Smith and Jones (1986) and The Honey Siege (1987). He then turned his hand to larger theatre roles, appearing in productions such as Privates on Parade, Much Ado About Nothing and Summer Holiday. He trained at Rosslyn School of Drama in London and was in the original cast of world hit Mamma Mia!. He also performed in musicals on cruise ships for six and a half months, but told Paul O'Grady that he hated the experience.

Having only worked on the stage and in musical theatre since leaving private school, Nigel determined to expand into television and pursued TV roles. He scored minor parts in in episodes of Red Cap, Doctors and Coupling, but had to support himself by taking jobs at Pizza Hut and as a driver for supermarket chain Sainsburys.