Originally gaining fame in the United Kingdom in the late 1970s as the lead singer of the punk rock band Tenpole Tudor, Tudor-Pole began an acting career following the group's split in 1982.

[6] Tudor-Pole formed the band Tenpole Tudor in 1977, and eventually came to prominence after appearing in the film The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle as a possible replacement for Johnny Rotten in the Sex Pistols.

Tenpole Tudor returned in 1980, signing to Stiff Records and releasing two successful albums, Eddie, Old Bob, Dick and Gary and Let the Four Winds Blow.

His film and play credits include The Rocky Horror Show[13] (written by his Crystal Maze predecessor), Jim Cartwright's play Road at the Royal Court Theatre,[14] The Great Rock 'n' Roll Swindle (1980),[15] Absolute Beginners (1986),[16] Drowning by Numbers (1988),[17] White Hunter Black Heart (1990) with Clint Eastwood,[18] Princess Caraboo (1994),[19] and several films by Alex Cox including Sid and Nancy (1986),[20] Straight to Hell (1987)[21] and Walker (1987).

[25] He also was seen in Quills (2000),[26] The Life and Death of Peter Sellers (2004) as Spike Milligan,[27] The Queen's Sister (2005),[28] and in Oliver Twist (2007) as Mr Slipsby.