Mike Farley (actor)

Farley started out as a computer programmer and amateur actor, performing at London Fringe Theatres and at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in the late 1980s and 1990s. In June 2004, Farley became a full-time professional Henry VIII.[1] He has since made numerous appearances on TV and Radio[2] including BBC1’s Children in Need,[3] Daybreak, BBC Radio 4 Saturday Live Scott Mills[4] and was a repeat contributor to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Danny Baker Show.

Farley has been resident Henry VIII for a number of castles in England and Wales, including Hever Castle[5] and Leeds Castle[6][7]

In his capacity as Henry VIII, Farley has performed in plays, pageants[8] and on film.[9][10][11]

He is widely-known for his performances in schools as part of the National Curriculm.[12][13] His objection to the removal of The Tudors from the National Curriculum under Michael Gove was widely reported in the national press.[14][15] Farley was also featured as part of the missing words round in an episode of Have I Got News For You, “Henry VIII’s life ruined by … Michael Gove”. [16]

Farley has participated in a number of television game shows, most notably, in February 2019, in The Chase[17] and in August 2019, in Who Wants to be a Millionnaire, where he won £64,000.

Farley has written and starred as King Henry in two short films, the first for Hever Castle: “The Six Wives of Henry VIII in Four Minutes” (2013) and “Henry VIII – And All Because The Lady Loves” (2017).

• The Six Wives of Henry VIII in Four Minutes (2013)
• Henry VIII – And All Because the Lady Loves (2017)

• Mike Farley at IMDb
• The Six Wives of Henry VIII in Four Minutes
• Henry VIII – And All Because The Lady Loves