Best known for playing Dave Lister in the science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf and Lloyd Mullaney in the soap Coronation Street, and as a funk and soul DJ on BBC Radio 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.

Charles first appeared on television as a performance poet, which led to minor presenting roles. After finding fame inRed Dwarf, he regularly featured on national television with celebrity appearances on many popular shows while he continued to host a wide variety of programmes.

Charles notably presented Robot Wars and narrated the comedy endurance show Takeshi’s Castle.He has toured the UK extensively as a stand-up comedian.

Charles has hosted The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show on BBC radio since 2002, and performs DJ sets at numerous clubs and festivals, nationally and internationally. In September 2015, he left Coronation Street after ten years, to film new episodes of Red Dwarf.

In February 2017 it was announced that Craig would be replacing Jason Bradbury as the Main Host of The Gadget Show.