STEPHEN OWEN
Comedy Impressionist – Events Host – After-Dinner Speaker
Born in Shepherd’s Bush, London W12, Stephen Owen possesses one of the most extraordinary backstories in British show business. Equal parts razor-sharp impressionist, seasoned stand-up, and former homicide detective, Stephen blends a lifetime of experience with a pitch-perfect ear for comedy.
At just 17 years old in 1985, Stephen signed his first professional comedy contract, supporting the legendary Jimmy Marshall and Jeff Stevenson. A year later, he turned down a summer season with Warner Holidays—not to leave the stage, but to join the Metropolitan Police. It was, fittingly, a performance at the recruitment interview that helped land him the job.
Over a remarkable 30-year police career, Stephen served with distinction as a Specialist Detective, tackling Murder, Complex Crime, and Disaster Victim Identification. All the while, he continued to perform—keeping one foot on the comedy circuit, and the other in some of the UK’s most demanding investigations.
Now celebrating 40 years in show business, Stephen brings a wealth of experience, an intuitive connection with audiences, and a deep love of laughter to every event. His work fuses finely tuned celebrity and sporting impressions with smart observational stand-up and off-the-cuff crowd work. A natural comic with the timing of a pro and the stories of a lifetime.
Career Highlights Include:
• Headliner and MC at corporate events, sports dinners, and charity galas nationwide
• Testimonial host for NZ rugby legend Craig Dowd
• Guest speaker at the England Barmy Army dinner with Darren Gough
• “An Evening with Paul Merson” – featured comedy act
• Trusted act for top organisations including Wasps RFC, London Irish, Watford FC, Wooden Spoon Society, Spinal Injuries Association, Matt Hampson Foundation, and the National Police ANPR Conference
Comedy Club Appearances:
A regular face on the UK comedy club scene, working with top promoters at:
Laughing Chili, The Stand-Up Club, Pie Entertainments, Castle Comedy, Chesham Comedy, Wanstead Comedy and more.
Stephen has shared stages with the likes of Bob Mills, Gary Delaney, Adam Bloom, Kev Orkian, Ninia Benjamin, Clinton Baptiste, Ricky Grover, Raymond and Mr Timpkins—to name just a few.
Recent Highlights:
• Clinton Baptiste Tour Support
• Talk Radio – Guest on The Bob Mills Show
• Featured on BBC 3CR’s “Anything But Coldplay”
• British Comedian of the Year Semi-Finalist – 2021, 2022, 2023
• British Comedian of the Year Finalist 2025
• Launching in 2025: Stephen’s debut one-man show “Endangered Species” – a hilarious and heartfelt journey through crime scenes, comedy clubs, and critical care. (Sold Out Preview at Watford Fringe July 2025)
Homicide Detective. Comedy Impressionist. Stand-Up Comedian. Severe Acute Pancreatitis Survivor.
With material like this, the show writes itself.
What the Industry Says:
“Super confident, totally unflappable, Stephen Owen is every inch the natural comic. Such easy charm—immediately the audience knows they’re in competent and very funny hands. Bang-on impressions and such an amiable way with the crowd. I could listen all night.”
— Alex Lowe, Actor, Writer, Comedian
“Stephen Owen is a superb mimic! His Dara Ó Briain and Michael McIntyre make you wish they hosted a show together. Hilarious!”
— Lewis MacLeod, BBC Radio 4 Dead Ringers
“Whether it be MC, middle or open, Steve Owen is safe hands. A calm professionalism with brilliantly funny impressions. We’ve booked him numerous times across various gigs—always a real crowd-pleaser.”
— Mark Rann, Chesham Comedy Club
