Simon Farnaby

Simon Farnaby is an English actor, comedian, writer, and singer, best known for his long-running collaboration with the Them There collective, the comedy troupe behind beloved shows like Horrible Histories, Yonderland, and Ghosts. His screenwriting credits include the Paddington films, with Paddington 2 earning BAFTA nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best British Film, and Wonka (2023), the blockbuster prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that he co-wrote and appeared in. In 2023 he also won a Television BAFTA for a memorable TV moment. With a career spanning more than two decades, Farnaby has become a fixture of British family entertainment, and as of 2026 he has several projects in development, including a film adaptation of The Magic Faraway Tree and a Labubu movie. [edit]

Simon Farnaby was born on 2 April 1973 in Darlington, County Durham, and grew up in the north of England. Details of his childhood and schooling remain largely private, but his path into entertainment began in television. He landed a role in the BBC comedy Clatterford (2006–07), created by Jennifer Saunders, which gave him early exposure to the sketch and character work that would define his career.

His big break came when he joined the cast of Horrible Histories, the children's historical sketch show based on the books by Terry Deary. There he became part of the Them There collective, a group of writer-performers including Mathew Baynton, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond, and Martha Howe-Douglas. The show's mix of irreverent humour and historical fact made it a hit, and Farnaby's skill for physical comedy and quick character turns made him a standout. The collective would go on to create more shows together, but it was on Horrible Histories that Farnaby first found his comedic voice and the collaborative partnership that would shape his career. [edit]

Simon Farnaby's career took a significant turn when he co-wrote Paddington (2014) with Paul King. The film was a critical and commercial success, and its sequel, Paddington 2 (2017), earned BAFTA nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay and Best British Film, cementing his reputation as a writer of warm, whimsical family films.

In 2023, Farnaby co-wrote Wonka, a prequel to Roald Dahl's classic story, starring Timothée Chalamet. The film grossed over $630 million worldwide against a $125 million budget, becoming one of the year's biggest hits. Farnaby also appeared in the film in a small role. That same year, he won a Television BAFTA for a memorable TV moment, a recognition of his work on Ghosts, the sitcom he co-created and starred in from 2019 to 2023.

As of 2026, Farnaby has several projects in the pipeline. He is developing a film adaptation of Enid Blyton's The Magic Faraway Tree and a movie based on the popular toy line Labubu. He is also reportedly working on Wonka 2, though its status is uncertain; Farnaby has said the sequel is delayed indefinitely due to Chalamet's schedule, while Warner Bros. insists they are hard at work on it. Additionally, a scrapped Star Wars droid film he pitched with Paul King is being reworked into an original sci-fi movie. [edit]

Simon Farnaby is regarded as a key figure in British family entertainment, known for his "silly, surreal world" that spans Paddington, Wonka, and Ghosts. His public persona is that of a genial, quick-witted everyman, often playing characters who are slightly pompous or out of their depth. Fans appreciate his ability to blend humour with heart, and his work with the Them There collective has earned a devoted following. He has no official fandom name, but viewers of Ghosts often refer to themselves as "Ghosts fans" and engage in fan theories about the show's characters. On social media, Farnaby's voice is playful and self-deprecating, as seen in his "legwear model" joke, which endears him to audiences. [edit]

Simon Farnaby commands a broad, cross-generational audience rather than a singular, self-identifying cult following. His fanbase is composed of three distinct groups: devotees of the Them There collective from Horrible Histories, supporters of the Paddington and Wonka film franchises, and viewers of the BBC sitcom Ghosts. Unlike stars with organized campaigns or specific monikers like Trekkies, Farnaby's admirers do not gather under a formal name, nor are there documented instances of fan-funded billboards or subway ads dedicated to his person. The mythology surrounding him consists less of chaotic crowd reactions and more of professional anecdotes regarding his writing career, most notably the verified story of a cancelled Star Wars pitch involving a droid-centric narrative that was reworked into an original sci-fi project. While he maintains a modest digital presence on social media platforms, sharing behind-the-scenes content without engaging in high-profile rituals, his cultural impact remains rooted in family entertainment and industry collaboration. iFANN has evaluated his global standing, and the data confirms that Simon Farnaby does not currently hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or a Top-100 scope list).[edit]

Simon Farnaby describes himself in his X biography as a screenwriter, actor, and legwear model, a humorous tagline that has evolved into a running gag among his fans. Following the critical and commercial triumph of Paddington 2, he and director Paul King pitched a Star Wars film centered on a droid; Lucasfilm requested additional franchise elements, causing the project to fall through before being redeveloped into an original science fiction script. Known for his fondness for puns and wordplay, Farnaby frequently incorporates these devices into his scripts, while also showcasing his talent for impressions during his tenure on Horrible Histories. He considers his role as the ghost Julian in Ghosts one of his favorites, appreciating the character's blend of pomposity and endearment. Industry reports confirm that after the cancellation of the Star Wars pitch, Disney asked the team to adapt their concepts into an original story rather than a property set in the galaxy far, far away. This incident stands as a notable what-if scenario in film history, illustrating the complex negotiations between creative vision and studio mandates. Additionally, his work on The Magic Faraway Tree adaptation featuring Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy generated press coverage regarding its themes of wonder, further cementing his reputation as a writer capable of crafting stories that resonate across generations.[edit]

Simon Farnaby keeps his family life private, and little is publicly known about his parents, siblings, or any children. He has not shared details about his upbringing beyond his birthplace in Darlington. In interviews, he has occasionally mentioned his wife, but her name and their relationship timeline are not widely reported. He is known to be a dog lover, though specifics are scarce. The lack of public information suggests he values separating his personal life from his professional persona. [edit]

Simon Farnaby is closely associated with director Paul King, with whom he co-wrote Paddington, Paddington 2, and Wonka. He is also a core member of the Them There collective, a comedy troupe that includes Mathew Baynton, Jim Howick, Laurence Rickard, Ben Willbond, and Martha Howe-Douglas. Timothée Chalamet starred in Wonka, and his schedule has become a point of contention regarding the sequel's production. [edit]

Simon Farnaby is notably private about his personal life, and no public dating history has been documented. He has not been linked to any high-profile partners in the media, and he rarely discusses his relationships in interviews. As of 2026, his relationship status remains unknown, as he has not publicly confirmed being married, dating, or single. This discretion is consistent with his overall approach to privacy, as he prefers to let his work speak for itself. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Simon Farnaby's net worth is estimated at $10 Million as of 2026. His primary revenue stream derives from screenwriting fees associated with major studio productions. He co-wrote both Paddington and Paddington 2, which achieved substantial box office success, and contributed to Wonka, a blockbuster prequel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory that grossed over $630 million worldwide. Additional income flows from his acting roles in television and cinema, including his long-standing appearances in Horrible Histories and Ghosts. As a co-creator of Ghosts, he likely benefits from royalties generated by the show's international adaptations and syndication deals. Farnaby has also expanded his portfolio by authoring books, which adds another layer to his financial stability. His wealth has accumulated steadily over the last decade, propelled by the enduring popularity of his film projects, and projections suggest further growth as new ventures reach release.[edit]

Simon Farnaby won a Television BAFTA in 2023 for a memorable TV moment, a recognition of his work on Ghosts. He has also received BAFTA nominations for Paddington 2 in the categories of Best Adapted Screenplay and Best British Film, though these are nominations rather than wins. [edit]