Paul Zerdin
Paul Zerdin (born 21 August 1972)[1] is a British comedian and ventriloquist from London. He was the winner of the 10th season of America's Got Talent.
Paul Zerdin
21 August 1972
English
Ventriloquist, comedian
- 1993
- 1996
- 2008
- 2015–present
America's Got Talent (season 10) (Winner)
Career[edit]
Zerdin made his TV debut as a magician on the BBC's Tricky Business. Shortly afterwards, at the age of 20, Zerdin landed a two-year contract presenting the Disney-produced children's programme Rise and Shine for GMTV.[2]
In 1996, Zerdin was the first outright winner – by over 100,000 votes – of LWT's The Big Big Talent Show, hosted by Jonathan Ross. The experience introduced him to Nigel Lythgoe, who took Zerdin under his wing, paving the way for appearances on shows including Tonight at the London Palladium and The Generation Game. Lythgoe secured Zerdin a spot on The Prince's Trust Gala Show in 1997.[3]
During the 2016-17 Christmas season, Zerdin played Cinderella's sidekick Buttons in the London Palladium production of the pantomime Cinderella, leading the Radio Times to dub him "inspired casting." The magazine added that "His quick wit, rapport with the crowd and astonishing skills with puppet Sam turn the often toe-curling audience participation bits (don't sit in the front row) into genuinely hilarious moments."[4]
