Swiss Toni
Encyclopedia
Swiss Toni is a fictional used-car dealer played by Charlie Higson
, and also the title of a sitcom in which he is the main character. Swiss Toni is a 50-something car dealer going through a midlife crisis. To Toni almost any situation in life is best understood as being "like making love to a beautiful woman", in some rather implausible ways. Swiss Toni is usually depicted wearing a grey suit and with his hair styled in a platinum-blond bouffant quiff.
The character was created by Charlie Higson and Bob Mortimer
and originally introduced in the BBC
comedy series The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer
, but is best known as a recurring character in another BBC comedy series The Fast Show
. Swiss Toni was later spun off into a sitcom, which developed both the character and his situation beyond the confines of the Fast Show sketches. The two series ran on BBC Three
, the first three episodes of the first series also being repeated on BBC One
. As well as playing the title character, Higson was the show's main writer and one of its producers.
Charlie Higson
Charles Murray Higson , more commonly known as Charlie Higson - also Switch - is an English actor, comedian, author and former singer...
, and also the title of a sitcom in which he is the main character. Swiss Toni is a 50-something car dealer going through a midlife crisis. To Toni almost any situation in life is best understood as being "like making love to a beautiful woman", in some rather implausible ways. Swiss Toni is usually depicted wearing a grey suit and with his hair styled in a platinum-blond bouffant quiff.
The character was created by Charlie Higson and Bob Mortimer
Bob Mortimer
Robert "Bob" Renwick Mortimer is an English comedian and actor, who is best known for his double act with Vic Reeves...
and originally introduced in the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
comedy series The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer
The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer
The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer was a BBC TV sketch show written by and starring double act Vic Reeves & Bob Mortimer. Its first series appeared in 1993 following the duo's move to the BBC after parting company with Channel 4...
, but is best known as a recurring character in another BBC comedy series The Fast Show
The Fast Show
The Fast Show, known as Brilliant in the US, was a BBC comedy sketch show programme that ran for three series from 1994 to 1997 with a special Last Fast Show Ever in 2000. The show's central performers were Paul Whitehouse, Charlie Higson, Simon Day, Mark Williams, John Thomson, Arabella Weir and...
. Swiss Toni was later spun off into a sitcom, which developed both the character and his situation beyond the confines of the Fast Show sketches. The two series ran on BBC Three
BBC Three
BBC Three is a television network from the BBC broadcasting via digital cable, terrestrial, IPTV and satellite platforms. The channel's target audience includes those in the 16-34 year old age group, and has the purpose of providing "innovative" content to younger audiences, focusing on new talent...
, the first three episodes of the first series also being repeated on BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
. As well as playing the title character, Higson was the show's main writer and one of its producers.
External links
- IMDb profile
- BBC Swiss Toni website
- BBC Comedy Guide article about the Swiss Toni series (including some character history and cast credits)