Kelly-Anne Lyons

Kelly-Anne Lyons
Photographic portrait of a young woman, looking directly to camera. She has long brown hair and is wearing a purple dress.
Kelly-Anne Lyons in 2009
Born (1985-03-17) March 17, 1985 (age 39)
New Jersey
NationalityAmerican
Alma materMarymount Manhattan College (B.A.)
Occupation(s)Actress, television presenter, writer, model
Years active2007–present
TelevisionDick and Dom's Funny Business
WebsiteKelly-Anne Lyons Official Website

Kelly-Anne Lyons (born March 17, 1985) is an American actress, television presenter, writer and model. Lyons' breakthrough role was as the female lead, Kelly-Anne Manhattan, in the BBC comedy Dick and Dom's Funny Business. Before this, Lyons played the title role in Chelsey: OMG!, produced by British comedy and entertainment company Channel X. She is known for her characters in hidden camera sketch shows such as ITV1’s "Fool Britannia" with Dom Joly and BBC1’s "Richard Hammond’s Secret Service", as well as MTV’s "Flash Prank", Channel 5's "Secret Interview", and National Geographic’s "Ape Man". She plays news anchor "Felicity Bond" in the BAFTA nominated BBC comedy "DNN" and "Tess" in BBC’s sitcom "Badults".

Early life

Born on March 17, 1985 in New Jersey, Lyons' family moved to Winston-Salem, North Carolina when she was five. She went on to study at the North Carolina School of the Arts. Her family returned to New Jersey before she reached her teens, living in the Basking Ridge section of Bernards Township, New Jersey. Lyons studied at Ridge High School from 1999 to 2003. Lyons went on to attend Marymount Manhattan College, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.[1][2] Lyons also trained at the Weist Barron Hill Acting For Television and Film.

Career

Working as a model in New York City while still an undergraduate, Lyons was scouted by an English modeling agency, whom she joined in London a week after her graduation. Lyons has modeled for Special K, The Body Shop, Fila, Fitness First, Microsoft and John Lewis & Partners.

Lyons played the eponymous Chelsey Pucks in the online situation comedy Chelsey: OMG!. The interactive Channel X show for teens, launched in October 2008, was shown on the social networking website Bebo.[1][3][4] The show, created by comedian Nat Coombs, was broadcast in two three-minute episodes each week.[3] By August 2009, Chelsey: OMG! had gained close to three million views.[5]

Lyons played the female lead in the children's television series Dick and Dom's Funny Business. The BBC comedy programme was broadcast on BBC Two and simulcast on the CBBC Channel. The series' first episode was shown on 8 January 2011.[6]

Since 2011, Lyons has been Celebrity Supporter for the UK charity Arthritis Care after having suffered from arthritis in her teens. She is currently in remission but plays an active role in the charity's fundraising and awareness campaigns.[7]

Lyons has played many characters across in MTV’s Flash Prank.

Lyons appeared as "Tess" in BBC Three’s sitcom Badults, created by comedy group Pappy's.

Lyons plays news anchor "Felicity Bond" in the CBBC comedy show "DNN". Her co-anchor is comedian William Andrews. The series is currently filming Series 2 after being nominated for Best Comedy at the 2013 Children's British Academy of Film and Television Arts Awards.

References

  1. ^ a b "Amazing Women Rock: Kelly-Anne Lyons". Amazing Women Rock. 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  2. ^ "Kelly-Anne Lyons: Dawn Sedgewick". Dawn Sedgewick Management website. Dawn Sedgwick. 2011. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Luft, Oliver (October 21, 2008). "Bebo launches comedy Chelsey: OMG!". The Guardian. Manchester. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  4. ^ "Bebo launches Chelsey: OMG!". NOW Magazine website. London: NOW Magazine. November 6, 2008. Archived from the original on September 8, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  5. ^ "Channel X – programmes". Channel X website. Channel X. 2011. Archived from the original on March 20, 2012. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  6. ^ "Dick and Dom's Funny Business". British Comedy Guide website. British Comedy Guide. 2011. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  7. ^ "Arthritis Care". Archived from the original on September 11, 2013.
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