The Spin | ‘That day was life-changing’: Miles Jupp on how Ashes climax fuelled incredible blag

Comedian and actor recalls how 2005 series deepened his love for cricket and landed him a brief press role

Miles Jupp stares out at an empty Oval cricket ground. “This is absolutely one of my favourite places in the world,” says the actor, writer and comedian. We sit for a moment in silence, a couple of groundsmen wrestle with a hose and start watering the square. “This is almost blissful,” says Jupp in a hushed reverie. “You know, that day, 12 September 2005, was life-changing for so many of us.”

The final day of the 2005 Ashes series did change the course of Jupp’s life, at least for a little while. In his early 20s he was a nascent standup comedian and actor; in 2001 he won the long-running newcomer comedian competition So You Think You’re Funny? “The final was held on 25 August, the same date Michael Atherton played his final innings for England. In my victory speech, I dedicated my prize to him.”