SHAUN WILLIAMSON

Shaun Williamson is an actor and singer, best known for his role as Barry Evans in the BBC soap opera EastEnders, which he played from 1994 to 2004. He is also widely recognised for playing a fictionalised version of himself in Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s sitcoms Extras (2005–2007) and Life’s Too Short

(2011–2013).

 

Shaun’s other television work includes roles in the CBBC comedy series Scoop (2009–2011), Plebs (2014), Houdini (2014), Mister Winner (2020), and Significant Other (2023), along with appearances in TV staples such as Doctors, The Bill, Casualty, Holby City, and London’s Burning.

 

His theatre credits are extensive, with performances in One Man, Two Guvnors at the National Theatre, The Ladykillers, Anything Goes, The Railway Children, Guys and Dolls, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Porridge, Saturday Night Fever, and many more.

 

Shaun has also featured in several reality TV shows, including Fame Academy (2007), Celebrity Big Brother (2017), Five Go Barging (2019), and Celebs on the Farm (2021).

 

An avid quizzer, Shaun has raised over £350,000 for charity by winning shows such as Pointless (four times), The Chase (twice), Beat the Chasers, Celebrity Mastermind, House of Games, and Britain’s Brightest Family. He hosted his own quiz show, The 24 Hour Quiz, in 2004 and co-hosted Al Murray’s Great British Pub Quiz in 2019. His autobiography, A Matter of Facts (2020), intertwines stories from his life with his quest to win the World Quiz Championships.

 

Since 2020, Shaun has been touring the UK’s music venues and festivals with Barrioke , a joyous, interactive karaoke party where audience members join him on stage to create an unforgettable singalong celebration.