George Fouracres, the 36-year-old performer from the Black Country, has become the breakout star of Saturday Night Live UK, winning acclaim for his portrayal of Prime Minister Keir Starmer. His viral sketch, featuring Starmer cowering by his hotline to Donald Trump, has introduced him to a massive new audience. But for those who have followed his career over the past decade, his success comes as no surprise.
Fouracres first gained attention as part of the sketch group Daphne, alongside Phil Wang and Jason Forbes, after emerging from the Cambridge Footlights. Wang recalls his 'pure comedic instinct', noting that Fouracres would often improve upon his written material. The group's success on the fringe led to a Radio 4 series, where Fouracres stood out as a combustible performer, whether playing a pirate, a ruthless Willy Wonka, or an unhinged parody.
Beyond sketch comedy, Fouracres has shown his range as a solo performer with 'Gentlemon', a heartfelt exploration of his working-class heritage. He has also made a mark as a Shakespearean actor at the Globe, playing roles including Puck, Dromio, Falstaff, and Hamlet. Theatre director Sean Holmes calls him 'a bit of a genius', praising his 'incredibly alive intelligence' and ability to connect with the tradition of Shakespearean clowns.
Fouracres' versatility extends to musical theatre, where he portrayed Andrew Lloyd Webber in Flo & Joan's satirical musical. The duo described him as 'an amazing comedian and phenomenal actor', noting that his performance brought unexpected depth to the role. With his SNL UK debut now a viral sensation, Fouracres has cemented his status as one of Britain's most exciting comic talents.
