Ben Keaton (born 1956) is an Irish actor who appeared in ITV soap opera Emmerdale as Jeff Brannigan, and in BBC's Casualty, playing the part of Spencer between 1999 and 2002.
He is a regular guest member with the Comedy Store Players,[1] the Steve Frost Improv All Stars and Eddie Izzard, and appeared in this style of comedy at the Royal Exchange in his show "Ben Keaton & Friends" which has included Stephen Frost, Niall Ashdown, Steve Steen, Andy Smart, Brian Conley and Paul Merton.
In 2014, Keaton returned to the role of Father Austin Purcell, performing a stand-up routine and hosting pub quizzes entirely in character.
[4][5] Keaton also set up a Twitter page for the character, and a website where fans can purchase customised Father Austin Purcell video greetings.
In 2017 he and his son Waldo Fox Kennedy set up Bracket Energy Media Production, which produces video for business and specialises in online content.