Midlands Heroes: School's out for summer with comedy legend Greg Davies

But before he played one in the lauded coming-of-age gigglefest that was, Davies was in fact a teacher by trade.

Having grown up in Wem, Davies was educated at the Shropshire town’s Thomas Adams School, from where he went on to study drama and English at Brunel University in Uxbridge.

Graduating in 1990, Davies was a high school drama teacher for 13 years before diving into his comedy career, and large portions of his stand-up routines are often dedicated to discussing his experiences during this time.

Speaking of his own education, Davies has praised his former teachers for the help and encouragement he received while attending Thomas Adams.

Reportedly, two teachers in particular at the school helped inspire him.

"I had some great teachers and I'm sure I learned a great deal from them," he said. "But my two favourites were Ed Lamont and Derek Evans, English teachers at Thomas Adams School, who taught me on and off from year nine right through to A-level.

"The reason they are my favourites is the same for both of them: they ignited within me a love of literature and for the arts generally. They were also probably the first people to take me to the theatre.

"But it was more than that: they were the first teachers who actually listened to us – that's how we all felt and that's why we still speak of them in such fond terms. I was in a group of friends at school who were constantly making up nonsense comedy sketches.

"Mr Lamont used to run an arts festival and he allowed us to do silly comedy sketches for it.

"We were also in a terrible comedy band called Doom Trivia. One thing that really sticks in my mind is the occasion when Doom Trivia recorded an album on a cassette, which I'm sure was absolutely rubbish. Mr Evans took it home with him; after the weekend he came in and he had written a two-side review of the album."

Though Davies is doubtlessly most beloved for his role as The Inbetweeners’ Mr Gilbert, his comedy and acting career has seen a succession of sell-out stand-up tours, and a plethora of acting credits including roles in Cuckoo, Man Down and The Cleaner. He is also a celebrated presenter, having fronted Taskmaster since 2015, and Never Mind The Buzzcocks since 2021.

Yet, despite his meteoric success, Davies has never forgotten his roots, and his roots have never forgotten him.

Last year, Davies was made an honorary townsman of Wem, and took a break from a huge arena tour to pop home and accept the honour.

He was recognised alongside Shelagh Richardson, who was given a townsman award for being “a leading light” in the Wem Civic Society.

Davies was nominated by Wem’s mayor, Councillor David Parry, and accepted the award at a gathering hosted by Wem Town Council.

Speaking at the time, Mr Parry said: “He is Wem’s most famous son and when someone is that famous and busy, you may think he would turn his back on the little town where he came from. But Greg has done anything but that.

“He regularly comes back and he calls it his home. He often does things for the community.

“He has presented awards at the schools, he’s done gigs for charity and he turned on the Christmas lights for us. He does these things and there’s no song and dance about it. 

“It’s probably very difficult when you’re that tall [6ft 8in] because you can’t just sneak about!”

Greg attended the townsman ceremony with friends from the Wem Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society, which he was part of as a teenager.

It was at a theatre show the group held where the mayor saw the effect of the presence of the famous comedian and former teacher on people in the town.

“I met him when he came to a youth theatre show,” Mr Parry said.

“You could just see just the effect of having him there on people. The young people were so enthused by it. If anyone wanted a selfie they got it. He was really showing an interest in the young people.

“I thought ‘why haven’t we recognised this guy?’ He has done all of these good things for the town. He was really happy to receive the award.

“He always speaks about the town in a very nice way. I said in my speech that I bet people travel through these parts just because it’s where Greg is from.”

An inspiration to all across the region, giant-in-life and giant-on-screen Davies is proof that when the Midlands makes its heroes, it makes them big, and that those that can ‘do’ also teach.