James Acaster

James William Acaster was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England, on 9 January 1985.: 268  His father was a science teacher. His family attended a nondenominational Christian church whose Sunday sermons included humorous anecdotes, sketches recreating Bible stories, and rock music. At a young age, Acaster performed a sketch with his father and enjoyed the laughs it received. He attended Montagu Secondary School—since built over into Kettering Buccleuch Academy. At high school, he participated in the drama club, turning each performance into comedy. He dropped out of sixth form before sitting his A-level exams and sat a BTEC in Music Practice at Northampton College.

Aged 17 to 22, Acaster played the drums in various bands around his hometown, including The Wow! Scenario, Three Line Whip and Pindrop. While a drummer, Acaster had a number of jobs, including working in Wicksteed Park. He was a dishwasher in two kitchens but did not learn to cook in either role; the first kitchen had a culture of bullying but he was also able to make friends.

A car crash at the age of 18 led him to fixate on the idea of death, so Acaster created a bucket list: items included skydiving and stand-up comedy. He would complete them while working 12 hours per week in a kitchen. After completing a stand-up course at the Kettering Volunteer Bureau, he began performing every few months, but maintained the vision of becoming a professional musician.