From BBC Dickens adaptations to Benidorm and Ideal to the PG Tips ads, JOHNNY VEGAS has become one of Britain's best-loved comic actors. But before he'd ever drInk tea with a knitted monkey or made himself the exception that proves the rule in terms of the predictability of TV panel show regulars, JOHNNY VEGAS was perhaps the most fearlessly confessional stand-up comedian this country has ever produced . JOHNNY VEGAS started life by the name of Michael Pennington and lived in St Helens, Lancashire. Growing up he entered (and dropped out of) seminary school, trained as a potter and worked as a barman. In 1996, Pennington made his TV debut as a contestant on Win, Lose or Draw. On air he stated that he wanted to be a comedian with the stage name 'Johnny Vegas'. A year later, in 1997, he was nominated for the Edinburgh Festival's prestigious Perrier Award - and the rest is history.