[3][4][5] In 1994, he appeared on Good Morning with Anne and Nick performing an impression of Dame Edna Everage.
He then began presenting the Channel 4 show, Popworld – where he gained a huge following for his groundbreaking work in making pop stars uncomfortable.
[12] Amstell first appeared on the comedy show Never Mind the Buzzcocks as a guest during Mark Lamarr's tenure as host, in 2003 and 2006.
[13] He said at the time that he hoped to beat "the universal, exceptionless rule that when a new host takes over an old show it is a horrible, embarrassing disaster".
It was followed in February 2008 by Never Mind the Buzzcocks: A Moving Tribute, which jokingly implied that Amstell had either died or retired from the show.
On 25 April 2009, Amstell announced via his internet mailing list that he would not be hosting another series of Never Mind the Buzzcocks because of his desire to concentrate on his live tours and stand-up performances.
[17] In 2009, BBC Two commissioned a six-part series titled Grandma's House from Tiger Aspect Productions, written by and starring Amstell, co-written by Dan Swimer.
Grandma's House received a generally positive reaction from critics and audiences alike and Samantha Spiro, who played 'Liz' won a British Comedy Award.
It is set in the year 2067, when the UK is vegan, and older generations are suffering the guilt of their omnivorous past.
[19] Amstell directed a series of shorts written by Jessie Cave starring Olly Alexander.
[21] Amstell performed Do Nothing in 2009 at the Royal Court Theatre, raising money for their young writers programme.
[24] In 2019, Amstell announced the release of an hour-long Netflix stand-up special, 'Set Free', which premiered on 20 August.
Amstell co-wrote an episode of Channel 4 teenage drama Skins in 2007, titled "Maxxie and Anwar".
[25] In 2015, he provided voice work for the video game Dr. Langeskov, The Tiger, and The Terribly Cursed Emerald: A Whirlwind Heist.