Rowley Birkin is a fictional character from the British television series The Fast Show, which aired in the 1990s. He is portrayed as a bumbling, elderly barrister known for his distinctive speech pattern and tendency to get easily distracted while telling stories. His character often struggles to complete his sentences, leading to humorous and nonsensical anecdotes. Birkin is recognized for his signature catchphrase, "I was in the war," which he frequently uses to segue into his tales. The character is played by actor Paul Whitehouse, who contributed to the show's unique blend of sketch comedy and memorable characters.