Both graduated from Cambridge University and began working separately as stand-up comedians before they were introduced to one another in 1989 by producer Bill Dare, who wanted to put together a topical sketch show for BBC Radio 1.
The new writing duo joined Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis to form the core quartet of The Mary Whitehouse Experience, which later transferred successfully to BBC television and made stars of both pairings.
The series was a ratings success, despite coming under criticism from reviewers who considered the comedy to be too deep and perceived a notable absence of camaraderie between the two performers.
[1] There was a particularly vindictive round of correspondence sent to Private Eye regarding the duo, heralding a one-off letters page entitled The Great Newman & Baddiel Debate.
They embarked on a sell-out UK tour (featuring stand-up from each and reprises of characters from the TV show) and this culminated in a memorable gig at Wembley Arena which was full to its 12,000 capacity, the first time this had been achieved by comedians.