Background
Cole was born in Bristol in 1972, and attended King Edward Grammar School in Chelmsford.
Cole was born in Bristol in 1972, and attended King Edward Grammar School in Chelmsford.
He studied English and French Literature at Bristol University.
Cole returned to the stand-up circuit as a solo comic in February 2007, and supported Russell Brand on his United Kingdom Tour over the summer 2007, as well as MCing live music events at the Royal Albert Hall. In March 2010 Cole"s debut hour-long solo stand-up show - "Neil By Mouth" - premiered at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, and ran throughout the Edinburgh Festival Fringe August 2011, at Cabaret Voltaire. He was one of the first United Kingdom comedians to perform at the improvised stand-up phenomenon Secretariat-List, in Edinburgh and subsequently in London.
Cole is a the series writer for Ultimate Rush, an adventure sports documentary series produced by Red Bulletin Media House.
He is also the live reporter and host for FIA World Rallycross Championship. Other work includes hosting a show about roller-coasters for National Geographic Channel called Manitoba Vs Ride.
He produces and reports for World Series by Renault and World Touring Carolina Championship. Before that, Cole presented the World Rally Championship on Dave during 2008-2010.
He has previously worked for British Broadcasting Corporation, Independent Television, Channel 4, Music Television, AXN, UKTV, Extreme Sports Channel, The Audi Channel and Sky One.
Cole has also hosted (and often associate-produced) further shows including:
(for Music Television) Select Music Television, Euro Top 20, mtv:new, World Chart Express, Music Television News and his own weekly live music and chat show, The Fridge. (for ITV2) Bedrock.
Cole plays Pete in British comedy horror feature film Stag Hunt, starring alongside Mackenzie Astin. Due for cinema release in 2015.
He also played a DJ in feature film Borrowed Time and Captain William in feature film Richard The Lionheart: Rebellion
In theatre, Cole has appeared in leading roles including: Puck in A Midsummernight"s Dream, Hal in Loot, Nero in Britannicus, Wilson in The Ruffian on the Stair, Willie in Blue Remembered Hills, Mephistopheles in Doctor Faustus, and various characters in Mamet"s Edmond.
He"s played The Darkness in cult comedy Umbrage Swain and the Magical Diamond of Ramtutiti in London" General’ s Office-West End. After several years hosting various shows on London 104.9 Xfm (including breaking new Scandinavian bands like Peter, Bjorn & John and The Concretes in his feature Northern Xposure), Cole was the daytime DJ for NME from launch until summer 2009.
He has also guest-starred in two Sapphire & Steel audio plays, All Fall Down and Dead Manitoba Walking.
As a comedian, Cole was half of successful but short-lived stand-up double act Hitchcock"s Half Hour, who won the coveted Hackney Empire New Acting of the Year competition in 1998. Cole was a founder member of London sketch team The Pros From Dover alongside Philosophy Whelans and Richard Glover, and occasionally still guests with them. He has reported on location from major international events including London 2012 Olympic Games 2006 Fédération internationale de football association World Cup Race of Champions, Music Television Europe Music Awards, World Rally Championship and World Cup Skateboarding. (for AXN) AXN Road Trip, Shakedown (also shown on ITV4 and Men & Motors, twice nominated for a Royal Television Society Award 2006 & 2007).
They supported Harry Hill and Ennio Marchetto in West End Theatres, and appeared on BBC1"s The Stand Up Show, British Broadcasting Corporation 4"s Loose Ends and contributed to Channel 4"s The Eleven O"Clock Show before splitting up in 2000.
