STEVE BELL, POLITICAL CARTOONIST

Born in London in 1951, Steve Bell grew up in Slough in the Thames Valley, and was educated at Slough Grammar School. He moved to North Yorkshire in 1968, where he studied Fine Art at Teeside College of Art, and then at Leeds University.

He took a teaching certificate at Exeter University, and then taught Art at Aston Manor School, Birmingham from 1976-1977. He has been a freelance cartoonist and illustrator since 1977.

He has drawn cartoons, comics and illustrations for periodicals and newspapers ranging from Whopee, Cheeky, and Jackpot to The New Statesman and Time Out. He currently draws for the Guardian.

He has made several short animated cartoons with Bob Godfrey for Channel 4 TV and the BBC, and drew cartoons for the Rory Bremner show on Channel 4.

He has published sixteen books of cartoons and exhibited work in the 'Cutting Edge' show at the Barbican Gallery in London, and at the Cartoon Gallery.

He lives in Brighton with his wife and four children. His hobbies include eating, drinking, swimming, cycling and shouting at the radio.