Mike Farley (actor)

Mike Farley was born in Essex in 1967. He is a professional writer, performer and voice artist, best-known as a Henry the Eighth lookalike and game-show participant. He is married, with one son.

Mike Farley
Farley in costume as Henry VIII
OccupationActor, impersonator, educator

Career

Farley started out as a computer programmer and amateur actor, performing at London Fringe Theatres and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the late 1980s and 1990s. In June 2004, Farley became a full-time professional Henry VIII.[1] He has since made numerous appearances on TV and Radio[2] including BBC1’s Children in Need,[3] Daybreak, BBC Radio 4 Saturday Live Scott Mills[4] and was a repeat contributor to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Danny Baker Show.

Farley has been resident Henry VIII for a number of castles in England and Wales, including Hever Castle[5] and Leeds Castle[6][7]

In his capacity as Henry VIII, Farley has performed in plays, pageants[8] and on film.[9][10][11]

He is widely-known for his performances in schools as part of the National Curriculm.[12][13] His objection to the removal of The Tudors from the National Curriculum under Michael Gove was widely reported in the national press.[14][15] Farley was also featured as part of the missing words round in an episode of Have I Got News For You, “Henry VIII’s life ruined by … Michael Gove”. [16]

Farley has participated in a number of television game shows, most notably, in February 2019, in The Chase[17] and in August 2019, in Who Wants to be a Millionnaire, where he won £64,000.

Farley has written and starred as King Henry in two short films, the first for Hever Castle: “The Six Wives of Henry VIII in Four Minutes” (2013) and “Henry VIII – And All Because The Lady Loves” (2017).

Film shorts
  • The Six Wives of Henry VIII in Four Minutes (2013)
  • Henry VIII – And All Because the Lady Loves (2017)

References
  1. "Henry VIII's spitting image". Metro. 7 September 2004.
  2. Britton, Emma (16 March 2013). "'Somerset Lives' guest - Mike Farley aka Good King Hal!". BBC Radio Bristol.
  3. "BBC Children in Need Episode #1.31". 2010.
  4. "Scott Mills". BBC Radio 4 Saturday Live. 28 February 2015.
  5. https://www.flickr.com/photos/claritoneve/6043102366
  6. "Lose your head on a tour of Henry VIII's famous landmarks". Mirror. 27 March 2011.
  7. Dyer, Josh (9 July 2007). "Heads rolling as Henry rolls in". Somerset County Gazette.
  8. "Crowds gather for medieval sport". Oxford Mail. 6 May 2015.
  9. "Past Quirks: The Virgin Princess Part 1". 2020.
  10. "Past Quirks: A Darkening of Ages". 2020.
  11. "My Life in History: Mike Farley, aka 'Good King Hal'". Press Reader: History Revealed. 20 February 2020.
  12. Gray, Tracey (17 November 2010). "North Norfolk pupils share dinner with Royalty". North Norfolk News.
  13. Maclagan, Kirsty (30 June 2010). "Schoolchildren enjoy Tudor trip". Chard and Ilminster News.
  14. Kidd, Patrick (27 October 2015). "The Times Diary (TMS): Gove beheads Tudor actors". Times.
  15. "Henry VIII's life ruined by Michael Gove as National Curriculum changes bite". Mirror. 26 October 2015.
  16. "Have I Got News For You, Series 50, Episode 5". 30 October 2015.
  17. Coles, Jonathan (6 February 2019). "Ex-Somerset Henry VIII lookalike wins £8k on The Chase". Somerset Live.
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