Jake Pratt
Encyclopedia
Jake Pratt, also known as Jakey P (born 25 September 1996 in Scarborough, North Yorkshire
, England
) is an English
teen actor
and comedian
. He entered the public eye when he appeared on the first series
of the ITV1
television show Britain's Got Talent
in June 2007 where he reached the semi-finals, where he lost out in a place in the grand final. He has since appeared in a British children's television programme and also worked as a voice over artist. He stars as Olly in the BBC comedy film Nativity
, which was released on 27 November 2009.
Pratt is also appearing as a stage actor and is appearing in the West End show Billy Elliot The Musical
, where he is playing the role of Michael. He began the role on 1 June 2009 and he is currently playing the role.
, England
. He has been attending the Sylvia Young Theatre School
since his appearance on Britain's Got Talent
. He previously attended YMCA
Scarborough, and the Scarborough Dance Centre.
Before Britain's Got Talent
, Pratt appeared at BBC Radio York's stand-up comedy event, More Front Than Scarborough, on 11 March 2007. He impressed the judges with his jokes but ended up coming in second place, to Karen Tite
.
Pratt has also appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show
.
television talent show Britain's Got Talent
.
In his audition, which took place at the Manchester auditions at the Apollo Theatre
in March 2007, and was televised on 9 June 2007, he performed a stand-up comedy routine and at the end sang a part of the song Life is a Cabaret by Liza Minnelli
. His performance received positive comments from all three judges, from Morgan's "You've got brilliant, distinctive comic timing", to Holden's "You're a real star in the making, real showman, great confidence, you were fantastic", with the exception of Simon Cowell
, saying "I think you're funnier than Peter Kay", but said that the singing was terrible but the comedy was fantastic. He was placed into the next round, after receiving three yeses from the judges. However, on the day the judges were to choose the 24 semi-finalists for the live semi-finals, on May 10, 2007, at first the judges decided not to put Pratt through. The following day, the judges changed their minds after they realised they made a mistake, and decided to put Pratt and a beatboxing group called Crew 82, the two acts they previously rejected, through to the live semi-finals.
In the live semi-final, on 15 June 2007, he performed again a stand-up comedy routine, and sang the chorus of There's No Business Like Show Business
, where this time Cowell buzzed. He told Pratt he should have stuck to telling jokes, so did Amanda Holden, who said he should "ditch" the singing at the end, but Piers Morgan decided that he should carry on singing. Simon asked him why he sang, and he replied "'Cos the producers said I should'". Simon considered firing the producer, but instead gave him a "done" to finish off. He also said that if he made it to the final, he would improve the singing. He failed to get through to the final and was eliminated from the competition.
. Pratt also entered a talent show called Beeon.tv at the end of 2007. He did a variety of talents; Poetry, singing, jokes etc. Pratt appeared on Lori Kellett's fundraising show Lori's One Night Only at the Spa Theatre
on 24 June 2007.
Pratt's first major acting role was as nature reporter Jay in the CBeebies
television series Green Balloon Club
about the environment. In this show all the presenting children are giving names related to the subjects they present. Pratt presents items about birds. The show began in June 2008 and finished in May 2009. Pratt also sang several songs for the show, along with the cast.
In the summer of 2008, Pratt worked on a film called Nativity
alongside Martin Freeman
, and Extras and Ugly Betty
actress, Ashley Jensen
, playing the role of Olly. It was released on 27 November 2009.
Pratt has also been commended by the Mayor of Scarborough, Janet Jefferson, for his success on Britain's Got Talent
. He has also been appearing in cabaret
shows organised by his theatre school. He has also opened the mayor of Scarborough's summer fair in 2007, with Sir Jimmy Savile. Money raised went towards local charities.
Jake Pratt also provided the voices of several cartoon characters. He voices one of the main characters in a cartoon based on the Wibbly Pig books by Mick Inkpen
on Cbeebies
where he is the narrator, which started on September 7, 2009. For the cartoon Claude, broadcast on the channel Playhouse Disney
, he provided the voice for grizzly bear Boris. And in the Cartoon Network
show Gumball he voices the fish Darwin.
The Scarborough Evening News
on 5 June 2009 reported that Pratt had joined the cast of Billy Elliot The Musical
. On 1 June 2009 he made his West End debut, taking the role of Billy's best friend, Michael. Pratt did a comic performance for his audition, which got him the role of Michael. He moved into the Billy Elliot house, along with the other youngsters who play the lead roles in the musical.
, London
(previously Scarborough) with his mum Johanne, dad and sisters Ellie-Jo, 10, and Tilly, 3, who also made an appearance on Pratt's show Green Balloon Club
on 20 February 2009.
He currently attends Sylvia Young Theatre School
, which he has been attending ever since his appearance on Britain's Got Talent
in 2007.
North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
) is an English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
teen actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
and comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
. He entered the public eye when he appeared on the first series
Britain's Got Talent (Series 1)
The first series of Britain's Got Talent began on 9 June 2007 and ended on 17 June 2007. It was won by opera singer Paul Potts. The first five shows concerned the audition stages of the competition and the final four shows aired the live semi-finals and final. The show was hosted by Ant & Dec on...
of the ITV1
ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
television show Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland...
in June 2007 where he reached the semi-finals, where he lost out in a place in the grand final. He has since appeared in a British children's television programme and also worked as a voice over artist. He stars as Olly in the BBC comedy film Nativity
Nativity (film)
Nativity! is a British comedy directed by Debbie Isitt and released on 27 November 2009. The film stars Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen. The film is written by its director, Debbie Isitt, but is also partially improvised....
, which was released on 27 November 2009.
Pratt is also appearing as a stage actor and is appearing in the West End show Billy Elliot The Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
, where he is playing the role of Michael. He began the role on 1 June 2009 and he is currently playing the role.
Early life
Pratt was born on 25 September 1996 in Scarborough, North YorkshireNorth Yorkshire
North Yorkshire is a non-metropolitan or shire county located in the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England, and a ceremonial county primarily in that region but partly in North East England. Created in 1974 by the Local Government Act 1972 it covers an area of , making it the largest...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. He has been attending the Sylvia Young Theatre School
Sylvia Young Theatre School
Sylvia Young Theatre School is an independent fee-paying stage school, in Westminster, London, named after its founder and Principal, Sylvia Young.-Outline:...
since his appearance on Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland...
. He previously attended YMCA
YMCA
The Young Men's Christian Association is a worldwide organization of more than 45 million members from 125 national federations affiliated through the World Alliance of YMCAs...
Scarborough, and the Scarborough Dance Centre.
Early career
Pratt won the Park Resorts National Finals for the 11 & Under Section for three years in a row.Before Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland...
, Pratt appeared at BBC Radio York's stand-up comedy event, More Front Than Scarborough, on 11 March 2007. He impressed the judges with his jokes but ended up coming in second place, to Karen Tite
Karen Tite
Karen Tite is an English actress based in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.She was formerly a member of the now-disbanded Purple Monkey Theatre Company, and was involved with the Valley Theatre Company also based in Scarborough.-Awards:...
.
Pratt has also appeared on The Paul O'Grady Show
The Paul O'Grady Show
The Paul O'Grady Show was a BAFTA award-winning British comedy chat show hosted by Birkenhead-born comedian Paul O'Grady. The format was originally devised by Granada Television and was broadcast on ITV before moving to Channel 4...
.
2007: Britain's Got Talent
Pratt, at the age of 10, was a contestant on the first series of the ITVITV
ITV is the major commercial public service TV network in the United Kingdom. Launched in 1955 under the auspices of the Independent Television Authority to provide competition to the BBC, it is also the oldest commercial network in the UK...
television talent show Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland...
.
In his audition, which took place at the Manchester auditions at the Apollo Theatre
Apollo Theatre
The Apollo Theatre is a Grade II listed West End theatre, on Shaftesbury Avenue in the City of Westminster. Designed by architect Lewin Sharp for owner Henry Lowenfield, and the fourth legitimate theatre to be constructed on the street, its doors opened on 21 February 1901 with the American...
in March 2007, and was televised on 9 June 2007, he performed a stand-up comedy routine and at the end sang a part of the song Life is a Cabaret by Liza Minnelli
Liza Minnelli
Liza May Minnelli is an American actress and singer. She is the daughter of singer and actress Judy Garland and film director Vincente Minnelli....
. His performance received positive comments from all three judges, from Morgan's "You've got brilliant, distinctive comic timing", to Holden's "You're a real star in the making, real showman, great confidence, you were fantastic", with the exception of Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
, saying "I think you're funnier than Peter Kay", but said that the singing was terrible but the comedy was fantastic. He was placed into the next round, after receiving three yeses from the judges. However, on the day the judges were to choose the 24 semi-finalists for the live semi-finals, on May 10, 2007, at first the judges decided not to put Pratt through. The following day, the judges changed their minds after they realised they made a mistake, and decided to put Pratt and a beatboxing group called Crew 82, the two acts they previously rejected, through to the live semi-finals.
In the live semi-final, on 15 June 2007, he performed again a stand-up comedy routine, and sang the chorus of There's No Business Like Show Business
There's No Business Like Show Business
"There's No Business Like Show Business" is an Irving Berlin song, written for the musical Annie Get Your Gun and orchestrated by Ted Royal. The song, a slightly tongue-in-cheek salute to the glamor and excitement of a life in show business, is sung in the musical by members of Buffalo Bill's Wild...
, where this time Cowell buzzed. He told Pratt he should have stuck to telling jokes, so did Amanda Holden, who said he should "ditch" the singing at the end, but Piers Morgan decided that he should carry on singing. Simon asked him why he sang, and he replied "'Cos the producers said I should'". Simon considered firing the producer, but instead gave him a "done" to finish off. He also said that if he made it to the final, he would improve the singing. He failed to get through to the final and was eliminated from the competition.
2007-present: Post Talent
Pratt has also performed at the fair in Braeburn House, an old people's home in Moor Lane, Eastfield, alongside Bessie Cursons, who reached the final of the talent show, but lost to Paul PottsPaul Potts
Paul Robert Potts is an English pop opera tenor who won the first series of ITV's Britain's Got Talent in 2007, singing an operatic aria, "Nessun dorma" from Puccini's "Turandot". As a singer of operatic music, Potts recorded the album One Chance, which went to #1 in nine countries...
. Pratt also entered a talent show called Beeon.tv at the end of 2007. He did a variety of talents; Poetry, singing, jokes etc. Pratt appeared on Lori Kellett's fundraising show Lori's One Night Only at the Spa Theatre
The Spa, Scarborough
The Spa, Scarborough known officially as the Scarborough Spa Complex is located in Scarborough’s South Bay and is a venue for conferences, exhibitions, entertainment and events on the Yorkshire Coast...
on 24 June 2007.
Pratt's first major acting role was as nature reporter Jay in the CBeebies
CBeebies
CBeebies is the brand used by the BBC for programming aimed at children 6 years and under. It is used as a themed strand in the UK on terrestrial television, as a separate free-to-air domestic British channel and used for international varients supported by advertising, subscription or both...
television series Green Balloon Club
Green Balloon Club
Green Balloon Club is a BBC children's television program that started on CBeebies on 20 June 2008.-Series 1: Green Balloon Club :Green Balloon Club is a wildlife club on CBeebies, both on screen and online....
about the environment. In this show all the presenting children are giving names related to the subjects they present. Pratt presents items about birds. The show began in June 2008 and finished in May 2009. Pratt also sang several songs for the show, along with the cast.
In the summer of 2008, Pratt worked on a film called Nativity
Nativity (film)
Nativity! is a British comedy directed by Debbie Isitt and released on 27 November 2009. The film stars Martin Freeman and Ashley Jensen. The film is written by its director, Debbie Isitt, but is also partially improvised....
alongside Martin Freeman
Martin Freeman
Martin John C. Freeman is an English actor. He is known for his roles as John in Love Actually, Tim Canterbury in the BBC's Golden Globe-winning comedy The Office, Arthur Dent in the film adaptation of Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Dr. John Watson in Sherlock and Mr. Madden...
, and Extras and Ugly Betty
Ugly Betty
Ugly Betty is an American comedy-drama television series developed by Silvio Horta, which premiered on ABC on September 28, 2006, and ended on April 14, 2010. The series revolves around the character Betty Suarez and is based on Fernando Gaitán's Colombian telenovela soap opera Yo soy Betty, la fea...
actress, Ashley Jensen
Ashley Jensen
Ashley Jensen is a Scottish actress who is best known for her roles in the television series Extras for which she was nominated for an Emmy, and ABC's Ugly Betty...
, playing the role of Olly. It was released on 27 November 2009.
Pratt has also been commended by the Mayor of Scarborough, Janet Jefferson, for his success on Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland...
. He has also been appearing in cabaret
Cabaret
Cabaret is a form, or place, of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue: a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables watching the performance, as introduced by a master of ceremonies or...
shows organised by his theatre school. He has also opened the mayor of Scarborough's summer fair in 2007, with Sir Jimmy Savile. Money raised went towards local charities.
Jake Pratt also provided the voices of several cartoon characters. He voices one of the main characters in a cartoon based on the Wibbly Pig books by Mick Inkpen
Mick Inkpen
Mick Inkpen is an author and illustrator of children's books best known for his creations Kipper the Dog and Wibbly Pig.- Background :Inkpen was born in Romford, Essex, England in 1952, and educated at Royal Liberty School in Gidea Park...
on Cbeebies
CBeebies
CBeebies is the brand used by the BBC for programming aimed at children 6 years and under. It is used as a themed strand in the UK on terrestrial television, as a separate free-to-air domestic British channel and used for international varients supported by advertising, subscription or both...
where he is the narrator, which started on September 7, 2009. For the cartoon Claude, broadcast on the channel Playhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney
Playhouse Disney was Disney Channel's television block for programs aimed at entertaining preschool aged children, often airing as its own channel outside the United States. It was introduced in 1997 after Disney Channel's move to basic cable from premium cable, with a target audience of children...
, he provided the voice for grizzly bear Boris. And in the Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network
Cartoon Network is a name of television channels worldwide created by Turner Broadcasting which used to primarily show animated programming. The channel began broadcasting on October 1, 1992 in the United States....
show Gumball he voices the fish Darwin.
The Scarborough Evening News
Scarborough Evening News
The Scarborough Evening News, is a local, paid-for daily newspaper distributed in and around the Scarborough, North Yorkshire, area. The newspaper gives a local slant on the day's news....
on 5 June 2009 reported that Pratt had joined the cast of Billy Elliot The Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes...
. On 1 June 2009 he made his West End debut, taking the role of Billy's best friend, Michael. Pratt did a comic performance for his audition, which got him the role of Michael. He moved into the Billy Elliot house, along with the other youngsters who play the lead roles in the musical.
Filmography
| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2009 | Nativity! | Alfie | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2007 | Britain's Got Talent Britain's Got Talent Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland... |
Himself | Contestant |
| 2009 | Wibbly Pig Wibbly Pig Wibbly Pig is the title character of a series of picture books for babies and very young children, written and illustrated by Mick Inkpen. The series includes titles such as Wibbly Pig Likes Bananas and Is It Bedtime Wibbly Pig?... |
Wibbly Pig | Narrator, Voice |
| Green Balloon Club Green Balloon Club Green Balloon Club is a BBC children's television program that started on CBeebies on 20 June 2008.-Series 1: Green Balloon Club :Green Balloon Club is a wildlife club on CBeebies, both on screen and online.... |
Jay | ||
| Claude | Boris | Voice | |
| Gumball | Darwin | Voice | |
| Stage | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Theatre | Notes |
28 August 2010 |
Billy Elliot The Musical Billy Elliot the Musical Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by Sir Elton John, and book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film's screenplay. The plot revolves around motherless Billy, who trades boxing gloves for ballet shoes... |
Victoria Palace Theatre Victoria Palace Theatre Victoria Palace Theatre is a West End theatre in Victoria Street, in the City of Westminster, opposite Victoria Station.-Origins:The theatre began life as a small concert room above the stables of the Royal Standard Hotel, a small hotel and tavern built in 1832 at what was then 522 Stockbridge... |
West End theatre West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking... |
|
Personal life
Pratt currently lives in IckenhamIckenham
Ickenham is a suburban area centred on an old village in Greater London, part of the London Borough of Hillingdon.While no major historical events have taken place in Ickenham, settlements dating back to the Roman occupation of Britain have been discovered during archaeological surveys, and the...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
(previously Scarborough) with his mum Johanne, dad and sisters Ellie-Jo, 10, and Tilly, 3, who also made an appearance on Pratt's show Green Balloon Club
Green Balloon Club
Green Balloon Club is a BBC children's television program that started on CBeebies on 20 June 2008.-Series 1: Green Balloon Club :Green Balloon Club is a wildlife club on CBeebies, both on screen and online....
on 20 February 2009.
He currently attends Sylvia Young Theatre School
Sylvia Young Theatre School
Sylvia Young Theatre School is an independent fee-paying stage school, in Westminster, London, named after its founder and Principal, Sylvia Young.-Outline:...
, which he has been attending ever since his appearance on Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent
Britain's Got Talent is a British television talent show competition which started in June 2007 and originated from the Got Talent series. The show is produced by FremantleMedia's TalkbackThames and Simon Cowell's production company SYCOtv. The show is broadcast on ITV in Britain and TV3 in Ireland...
in 2007.
External links
- Jake Pratt's Britain's Got Talent audition at YouTube.com
- Jake Pratt's Britain's Got Talent semi final performance at YouTube.com
- Jake Pratt's interview on Britain's Got Talent at YouTube.com