Editing Simon Donald (section)

==Biography==

Donald was born in [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] in 1964. He attended West Jesmond Infant School 1969–1973, West Jesmond Junior School 1973–1975, [[Heaton Secondary School]] (comprehensive) 1975–1980, and Newcastle College of Arts & Technology 1981–1983.

In 1976 Donald joined Newcastle’s [[People's Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne|People’s Theatre]], training in theatre skills. He acted in several of the theatre’s Young People’s Theatre productions. He worked as assistant stage manager for the [[Royal Shakespeare Company]] on their People's Theatre visit in 1977. He also performed at the [[Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne|Gulbenkian Theatre]]. He left the People's Theatre in 1980.

Between 1981 and 1983, Donald acted as singer and lyricist for comedy rock band Johnny Shiloe’s Movement Machine. The band comprised Dave Rose ([[Musical composition|composition]] and drums), Paul Rose (guitar) and Gary Shaw (bass).

In 1981, Donald appeared in an episode of [[BBC Two]]’s ''Something Else'' programme. In 1983 he co-wrote and appeared in an episode ''Sparks'', also on BBC Two.

He specialised as an antagonist on [[Carlton Television|Carlton Television's]] live debate programmes in the early 1990s, and moved on to play important roles in the BBC’s ''I Love'' series and [[Channel 4]]’s ''100 Greatest''.

In 2004, he presented ''The Regionnaires'', a six-part north-east regional panel show broadcast on [[ITV Tyne Tees]], which he co-wrote with his former ''Viz'' partner Alex Collier.

In 2005, he met Hungover Stuntmen and in 2006 joined their management team. He became their sole manager in 2007. The band recorded an album in [[Ibiza]], played the [[Ibiza Rocks]] festival two years running and appeared at [[Newcastle Arena]] with [[Paul Weller]]. His work with the band stopped when Simon became full-time carer for his eldest brother Steve, who was diagnosed with cancer in the summer of 2008 and died the following November.