Tim Key is an English poet, comedian, actor, and screenwriter who has carved a unique space in British entertainment with his blend of deadpan delivery, absurdist poetry, and sharp character work. Born in Cambridge on 2 September 1976, he rose to prominence by winning the 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Award and has since become a familiar face on television, in film, and on the live stage. This profile covers his background, career milestones, personal life (where information is available), and his latest projects.
Who is Tim Key? Biography and Background
Born: 2 September 1976, UK. English poet, comedian, actor, screenwriter.
Famous for: Winning the Perrier Award (2009), appearances on Taskmaster, role in The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025).
Relationship: Private; partner/wife not publicly confirmed with certainty.
Net worth: Not publicly disclosed; estimates between $500,000–$1 million based on career in comedy and film.
Tim Key is a multi-hyphenate performer known for blending poetry with stand-up comedy. His 2009 Perrier Award win (now the Edinburgh Comedy Award) marked a turning point in his career. He has a notable presence on British panel shows, especially Taskmaster (Series 4). Key maintains a strong independent streak, self-publishing poetry and controlling his tour schedule. His role in The Ballad of Wallis Island (Sundance 2025) represents a significant film career milestone.
Key’s work often blends deadpan delivery with absurdist poetry. He is one of a small group of performers who successfully occupy the niche of poet-comedian, a format that gained traction in the Edinburgh scene of the late 2000s. His career has influenced a generation of alternative comedians.
Here is a snapshot of essential biographical facts:
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Timothy Key |
| Born | 2 September 1976 |
| Nationality | British |
| Professions | Poet, Comedian, Actor, Screenwriter |
| Notable Award | Perrier Award (2009) |
| Spouse/Partner | Private – not confirmed in public records |
| Known for | Stand-up poetry, Taskmaster (Series 4), The Ballad of Wallis Island |
| Website | timkey.co.uk |
| Active Years | Early 2000s – present |
Is Tim Key Married? Partner, Wife, and Family Life
The question of Tim Key’s marital status is one of the most common searches related to the comedian, but it is also one of the least documented. According to available public records, including his Wikipedia biography, his IMDb profile, and his official website, there is no confirmed information about a wife or named partner.
What is Known About Tim Key’s Relationship Status?
Key has kept his personal life extremely private. He has not discussed a spouse or partner in interviews that have been widely reported. As a result, any claim about a wife or specific partner is unconfirmed and should be treated as speculation.
The absence of public records does not confirm a specific relationship status. It simply indicates that Tim Key has chosen to keep this aspect of his life out of the public domain.
Who is Tim Key’s Father?
Publicly available information about Tim Key’s father is very limited. IMDb’s biography for Key lists his parents as Carol and Bill. No further reliable details about his father’s name, occupation, or background have been found in the sources reviewed for this article.
Tim Key Movies, TV Shows, and Taskmaster Appearance
Tim Key has built an extensive filmography that spans television, film, and live performance. His on-screen work is marked by a recurring role as Sidekick Simon in Alan Partridge projects and appearances in a wide range of acclaimed series and films.
Key Television and Film Credits
According to his Shakespeare’s Globe biography and IMDb, his best-known roles include:
- Alan Partridge (as Sidekick Simon)
- See How They Run (2022, alongside Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan)
- Witchfinder
- Peep Show
- The End of the F***ing World
- Inside No. 9
- Greed
- Pls Like
- The Double
In 2025, Key appears as Ken in Peacock’s The Paper and as Pigeon Man in Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17.
Did Tim Key Appear on Taskmaster?
Yes. Tim Key was a panellist on the first series of Taskmaster (often referred to as Series 4 of the main show in some listings, but he was on the very first series) in 2015 alongside Roisin Conaty, Frank Skinner, Josh Widdicombe, and Sara Pascoe. He has also been credited as a “Task Consultant” for the show since its second series, a role that reflects his ongoing involvement. For more on the show’s legacy, read our guide to the Best British Comedy Panel Shows on TV.
What is The Ballad of Wallis Island?
This 2025 film marks a significant milestone in Key’s career. He co-wrote and stars in The Ballad of Wallis Island, which was selected for the Sundance Film Festival. The film is set for a theatrical release on March 28, 2025 (US).
Tim Key Net Worth and Career Earnings
Tim Key’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed by any reliable source. The available biographies and official databases (Wikipedia, IMDb, his own site) do not include a figure. Any net worth numbers found online, often ranging from $500,000 to $1 million, are estimates based on his career in comedy and film and should be treated as unverified speculation. No authoritative financial data is available.
Does Tim Key Perform Live Shows in 2025?
Yes. Tim Key continues to perform live. He is touring his new poetry anthology L.A. Baby! with live shows scheduled throughout 2025. Tickets and dates are available on his official website. This live work remains a central part of his output, alongside his growing film career.
Tim Key Career Timeline
This timeline outlines the major milestones in Tim Key’s professional life from the early 2000s to 2025.
- Early 2000s: Begins performing at Edinburgh Festival Fringe as a solo act and with the comedy collective Cowards.
- 2009: Wins the Perrier Award (Edinburgh Comedy Award) for his show Tim Key: Slut.
- 2010s: Regular TV appearances including Charlie Brooker’s Weekly Wipe, Live at the Apollo, and Taskmaster (Series 4, 2015).
- 2015: Publishes his first book of poetry and prose, Megan.
- 2022: Acts in the whodunit film See How They Run alongside Sam Rockwell and Saoirse Ronan.
- 2025: Co-writes and stars in The Ballad of Wallis Island, selected for Sundance Film Festival; appears in The Paper and Mickey 17.
What is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear
Tim Key’s public profile is full of confirmed achievements, but several common questions from fans remain unanswered due to his privacy. The table below separates established facts from areas where information is absent or uncertain.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Unclear |
|---|---|
| Tim Key was born on 2 September 1976. | Partner/Wife: No confirmed public information about Tim Key’s marital status or partner. Multiple sources (including Wikipedia and official site) omit this detail. |
| He won the Perrier Award in 2009. | Net worth: No official figure exists; estimates are speculative and should be labeled as such. |
| He appeared on Taskmaster Series 1 (2015) and serves as a Task Consultant. | Father: Name or occupation of his father is not publicly documented in accessible records beyond the names Carol and Bill. |
| He co-wrote and stars in The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025). |
What is Tim Key’s Cultural Significance?
Tim Key occupies a rare niche as a poet-comedian. His style, which blends deadpan delivery with absurdist poetry, gained significant traction in the late 2000s Edinburgh scene and has influenced a generation of alternative comedians. His career trajectory, from fringe theatre to major film roles like The Ballad of Wallis Island, signals a move toward mainstream cinema, potentially expanding his audience far beyond UK comedy fans. He is a key figure in the modern British comedy landscape, often cited for his originality and willingness to experiment with form.
Quotes and Sources About Tim Key
Timothy Key is an English poet, comedian, actor, and screenwriter.
Key won the Perrier Award in 2009.
Tim Key was born on 2 September 1976 in the UK. He is an actor and writer, known for The Ballad of Wallis Island (2025), See How They Run (2022) and Alan Partridge.
What’s Next for Tim Key?
Tim Key has several notable projects on the horizon. His work is currently enjoying a period of high visibility. Upcoming items include:
- The Ballad of Wallis Island — theatrical release March 28, 2025 (US).
- Tim Key is touring his new poetry anthology L.A. Baby! with live shows in 2025.
- Potential further film and TV projects following Sundance exposure, including appearances in The Paper and Mickey 17.
For more on the festival that launched his career, see our Guide to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tim Key
How old is Tim Key?
Tim Key was born on 2 September 1976, making him 48 years old as of 2025.
What is Tim Key’s net worth?
Tim Key’s net worth has not been publicly disclosed. Estimates from online sources vary between $500,000 and $1 million, but these figures are unverified and should be treated as speculation.
Who is Tim Key’s father?
The name and occupation of Tim Key’s father are not publicly documented in available sources. He has not discussed his father in interviews reviewed for this article.
What awards has Tim Key won?
Tim Key won the Perrier Award (now the Edinburgh Comedy Award) in 2009 for his show ‘Tim Key: Slut.’ He has also been nominated for other comedy awards, including the Malcolm Hardee Award for Comic Originality.
Did Tim Key appear on Taskmaster?
Yes, Tim Key appeared on Series 1 of Taskmaster in 2015, alongside Roisin Conaty, Frank Skinner, Josh Widdicombe, and Sara Pascoe. He has also been a Task Consultant for the show since Series 2.
Freddie Arthur Cooper Harrison is Editor-in-Chief of PopCulture UK, covering film, TV, music and celebrity news. He is accountable for the newsroom's editorial standards, and leads its sourcing and fact-checking process so that every article separates verified fact from rumour and is reviewed before publication.