Jim Moir is a British comedian, actor, musician, and contemporary artist who became famous under the stage name Vic Reeves. His career spans more than four decades and covers several creative fields including surreal comedy, television entertainment, fine art, music, and documentary presentation.
Moir remains one of the United Kingdom’s most influential cultural figures because of his ability to reinvent himself, shift between mediums, and maintain relevance through changing eras of British entertainment.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | James Roderick Moir |
| Age | 66 years old (as of 2025) |
| Date of Birth | 24 January 1959 |
| Parents | Audrey Moir and James Neill Moir |
| Net Worth | Estimated 7 to 9 million USD (2025) |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (approx.) |
| Spouse/Partner | Married to Nancy Sorrell (since 2003) |
| Ethnicity | White British |
| Nationality | British |
| Source of Wealth | Comedy, television, art exhibitions, royalties, book sales |
| Education | Heathfield School, Eastbourne Comprehensive, Sir John Cass College (Fine Art Foundation) |
Early Life of Jim Moir
Jim Moir was born in Leeds, England. His family moved to Darlington in County Durham when he was five. His parents worked in practical, craft-oriented environments. His mother engaged in textile and craft work while his father worked as a linotype operator. These early surroundings introduced him to visual textures, patterns, and handmade objects.
Moir attended Heathfield Infants and Junior School and later studied at Eastbourne Comprehensive. He grew up in a town where creative careers were not typically encouraged. His school performance did not point toward the arts or entertainment. His early interests were scattered across mechanical structures, drawing, and amateur jokes performed among friends.
A turning point occurred during his teenage years when he realised he preferred sketching, music, and humorous performances over traditional academic routes. After finishing school, he began a mechanical engineering apprenticeship at a factory in Newton Aycliffe. The apprenticeship was practical but uninspiring. During this period he spent evenings producing drawings, short comedic routines, and experimental audio recordings with friends.
The second major turning point arrived in 1983 when he enrolled in a one-year Fine Art Foundation course at Sir John Cass College in London. Although he was later rejected from Goldsmiths College for being “too accomplished,” he continued attending lectures informally. This period exposed him to avant-garde art, surreal humour, and the London underground creative scene. It set the foundation for the persona that later became Vic Reeves.
Career & Rise to Fame
Jim Moir’s career spans multiple creative industries including television, music, art, and comedy. His professional timeline shows continuous reinvention. The entertainment industry at the time was dominated by traditional stand-up, but he introduced a surreal approach that blended fine art influences with comedic absurdity.
From Art Student to Surreal Comedy Groundbreaker
During the mid-1980s Moir participated in underground performance clubs. He formed a group known as the Fashionable Five, which specialised in pranks and experimental stage acts. He also performed in various small bands and sold tapes under the name International Cod through the NME classifieds.
Moir built a reputation within the London alternative comedy circuit. He created a stage character called Vic Reeves, a persona inspired by musical influences including Vic Damone and Jim Reeves. He began performing a weekly show at Goldsmiths Tavern in New Cross. The show combined surreal sketches, anti-comedy, slapstick, and unusual stage props.
During one of these performances he met Bob Mortimer, a solicitor who attended as an audience member. The two connected through a shared appreciation of surreal humour. Mortimer soon joined him on stage, forming the double act Reeves and Mortimer.
Their chemistry produced a new style of British comedy that relied on bizarre characters, elaborate visual gags, and unconventional timing. The performances quickly gained a loyal following, which attracted television producers.
Rise and Fame
Moir’s early rise began with guest appearances on Channel 4’s The Tube in 1986. The breakout came when Channel 4 commissioned the television adaptation of Vic Reeves Big Night Out. The show introduced Moir to a nationwide audience and positioned him at the forefront of alternative British comedy.
Key achievements during this stage include:
• Creating and starring in Vic Reeves Big Night Out
• Forming the influential double act Reeves and Mortimer
• Winning strong peer recognition as one of Britain’s most innovative comedic performers
• Ranking ninth in the 2005 Comedians’ Comedian poll
• Being listed among The Observer’s 50 funniest acts in 2003
• Expanding into sketch shows, panel shows, and entertainment series
• Establishing a long-term creative partnership with Bob Mortimer
Reeves and Mortimer continued producing television hits such as The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer, Shooting Stars, Bang Bang, and Catterick. Their work shaped modern British comedy and influenced later performers who adopted surreal and anti-comedy styles.
Music, Acting & Artistic Output of Jim Moir
Jim Moir expanded his career beyond comedy. His talents extended into music, acting, documentary work, and fine art. He resisted being defined solely as a comedian, maintaining that art was his true profession.
Music
In 1991 he released his album I Will Cure You under the Vic Reeves name. The album reached number 16 on the UK chart. His collaboration with The Wonder Stuff produced the single Dizzy, which hit number one in the UK. The album displayed a mix of parody, spoken-word humour, and eclectic soundscapes.
Acting
Moir took significant acting roles including the character Marty Hopkirk in the BBC revival of Randall and Hopkirk (Deceased) from 2000 to 2001. He appeared in dramas such as Eric & Ernie (2011) playing George Bartholomew. His ability to shift between comedy and serious acting demonstrated range rarely seen in performers associated with surreal humour.
Documentary and Factual Work
He presented programs exploring crime, history, and craftsmanship such as Rogues Gallery and Vic Reeves Investigates. In 2020 he co-hosted the Netflix series The Big Flower Fight, which brought him to an international audience outside comedy.
Artistic Output
Moir developed a substantial art career. His work includes painting, lino printing, sculpture, and photography. He created art books including Sun Boiled Onions and engaged in exhibitions across the UK. His style is rooted in Dada, surrealism, natural history, and pop culture. Birds, landscapes, and humorous hybrid creatures frequently appear in his pieces.
He held notable exhibitions such as Yorkshire Rocks & Dinghy Fights and the large-scale Birdland exhibition in 2024.
Jim Moir’s Artistic Reinvention
From 2021 onwards Moir began publicly re-identifying as an artist rather than as Vic Reeves. He emphasised painting, nature study, and sculpture. His diagnosis of a vestibular schwannoma shifted his priorities and encouraged a quieter lifestyle centred on art and family.
Key developments include:
• Creating the Sky Arts series Painting Birds with Jim & Nancy Moir
• Launching a 50-work exhibition titled Birdland in 2024
• Securing a major national museum exhibition at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in 2025 titled Dawn to Dusk: Birds by Jim Moir
• Increasing his studio output and releasing collections through galleries
• Attracting new collectors of contemporary British art
Critics note that his artistic reinvention reflects a strong return to his earliest passion. His public persona has transitioned from a comedic disruptor to a respected fine artist with national gallery recognition.
What is Jim Moir’s Net Worth?
Current estimates place Jim Moir’s net worth between 7 and 9 million USD as of 2025. While not confirmed by Forbes, this range reflects accumulated income from multiple sources over four decades.
Estimated Breakdown of Wealth
• Television earnings from Big Night Out, Shooting Stars, and other series
• Royalties from repeated broadcasts and licensing
• Income from his number-one single Dizzy
• Art sales including exhibitions, original works, and prints
• Book royalties from art collections and comedic publications
• Guest appearances and documentary work
Moir’s shift toward visual art has created consistent income through gallery representation and private collectors. His previous television work remains valuable due to long-running repeats and the cultural status of Reeves and Mortimer’s material.
Personal Life & Relationships
Jim Moir married his first wife, Sarah Vincent, in 1990. The couple had two children before separating in 1999. Their relationship remained largely private and free of public dispute.
In 2001 he met model and television personality Nancy Sorrell during a promotional event. They married on 25 January 2003. The couple welcomed twin daughters in 2006.
The family resides in Charing, near Ashford in Kent. Interviews indicate a quiet domestic life centred on painting, birdwatching, and spending time outdoors. Moir and Sorrell jointly hosted Painting Birds with Jim & Nancy Moir, showcasing their shared interest in art and nature.
In September 2021 Moir publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with an inoperable vestibular schwannoma. The tumour caused deafness in one ear but has not prevented him from working or exhibiting his art.
Controversies
Jim Moir has maintained a reputation with limited public controversy. His work occasionally featured surreal or provocative elements, but these were framed as creative experimentation rather than public scandals.
No major legal disputes or misconduct allegations have been associated with him. Minor public criticism has historically centred on stylistic eccentricity within his comedic work. These criticisms were often subjective and did not affect his long-term reputation.
Legacy, Identity & Why It Matters
Jim Moir holds a unique position in British culture. His legacy operates across two distinct identities. As Vic Reeves he reshaped British comedy and influenced a generation of performers. His work with Bob Mortimer introduced surreal humour into mainstream entertainment and remains part of Britain’s comedic canon.
As Jim Moir the artist he has established a respected contemporary art career. His work now appears in national galleries, and critics acknowledge his technical skill and creative originality.
His influence matters because he demonstrated that reinvention is possible even after decades in the entertainment industry. His shift from surreal comedy to fine art illustrates the adaptability of creative talent and the value of long-term evolution.
Moir continues to produce new work daily, combining artistic discipline with a lifetime of imaginative ideas. His legacy stands as one of the most diverse in modern British culture.
Conclusion
Jim Moir’s biography reflects a career defined by creativity, experimentation, and reinvention. From his early origins in Leeds and Darlington to his breakthrough as Vic Reeves, his impact on British comedy is unmistakable. His later reinvention as a fine artist confirms his versatility and commitment to creative expression.
As of 2025 he remains an active painter, television contributor, and cultural figure. His exhibitions, ongoing artistic projects, and longstanding influence ensure that his legacy will continue to grow across multiple fields. Moir represents a rare example of someone who succeeded in two completely different creative worlds, making him one of the most distinctive British artists and entertainers of the last half-century.
FAQs
What is Jim Moir’s age in 2025?
He is 66 years old.
Does Jim Moir still paint?
Yes, he produces new art regularly and exhibits nationally.
Is Jim Moir still married?
Yes, he is married to Nancy Sorrell.
What illness does Jim Moir have?
He has a vestibular schwannoma, a benign brain tumour.
Is Vic Reeves the same person as Jim Moir?
Yes, Vic Reeves is his stage name.
