Clive Anderson was born in Middlesex in 1952. After studying law at Cambridge University, where he was also President of the Footlights revue group, he practised as a barrister in London for about fifteen years. During this time he wrote scripts for the likes of Frankie Howerd, Griff Rhys Jones and Mel Smith, and performed as a stand-up comedian. This led to presenting radio and television programmes, in particular Whose Line Is It Anyway? on BBC Radio 4 and then on Channel 4 TV. He has also hosted chat shows for radio and television. He lives in Highbury, north London, with his wife and three children.