John Robins Biography
An alumni of the now legendary ‘Bristol Comedy Flat’ John Robins began his comedy career in
2005 after reaching the semi-finals of So You Think You’re Funny at the Edinburgh Fringe
Festival after only a handful of gigs. Two years later and John was appearing in Avalon’s
prestigious ‘Comedy Zone’ showcase at the 2007 Edinburgh Festival, following in the footsteps
of Dave Gorman, Al Murray, Russell Kane and Ross Noble and was singled out for praise;
“Robins was worth the ticket price alone” (ThreeWeeks). Since then John’s career has
flourished; touring stand-up nationally, earning regular writing slots on high-profile television
shows such as ‘Nevermind The Buzzcocks’ & ‘Stand Up For The Week’ and co-hosting XFM’s
Chortle Award Nominated radio show with fellow comic Elis James, prompting the Telegraph to
describe him as ‘One of the most gifted comedians I have seen.’
John’s solo debut came in 2009 with his much anticipated first hour ‘Skinny Love’ at the
Edinburgh Fringe Festival, receiving a plethora of four and five star reviews and going on to win
‘Best Debut Show’ at the 2009 Leicester Comedy Festival. Following his early success, John
has been storming the Fringe with a new show every year, each as eagerly anticipated as the
last, receiving four and five star reviews across the board & earning invitations to perform
across the world, including at the Brisbane, Adelaide and New Zealand International comedy
festivals, as well as regular spots on ‘Setlist’, one of London’s favourite improvised stand up
shows. In 2013 John’s 5th solo show, ‘Where Is My Mind?’ was the highest reviewed show of
the Edinburgh Fringe Festival with ThreeWeeks awarding him their Editor’s Choice Award,
which he followed up with a national tour in early 2014 before entering his 6 th solo year at the
Fringe with ‘This Tornado Loves You’, soon to be performing at The Soho Theatre this spring.
In addition to his stand-up success John has a flourishing on-screen career having graced the
likes of; ‘8 Out Of 10 Cats Christmas Mash-Up’ (Channel 4), ‘Russell Howard’s Good News’
(BBC3), ‘Arthur Smith’s Comedy Club’ (ITV), ‘Sarah Millican’s ‘Celebrity Deal Or No Deal’
(Channel 4), ‘Live At The Comedy Store’ (Comedy Central) and ‘Alan Davies As Yet Untitled’
(Dave). He also recently took on the role of Jove in fellow comic, Sara Pascoe’s on-line short
for BBC iplayer’s Funny Valentine series, ‘Music Lovers’.
John currently co-hosts XFM’s Chortle Award Nominated Saturday Breakfast Show with fellow
comic Elis James and is a regular across the airwaves making guest appearances on ‘The
News Quiz’ (BBC Radio 4), ‘The Jon Richardson Show’ (BBC6 Music), ‘Word of Mouth’ (BBC
Radio 4), ‘The Russell Howard Show’ (BBC6 Music) and BBC Radio Wales’ topical news show
amongst others.
A sought after writer for both television and radio, John’s writing credits include; Stand Up For
The Week’, ‘Twit of The Year’ (both Channel 4), ‘A League of Their Own (Sky) and Nevermind
The Buzzcocks (Channel 4).
John & Elis’ radio show broadcasts every Saturday from 10am-1pm on XFM.
PRESS QUOTES FOR JOHN:
“Comedy’s best kept secret, I urge you to see this show”
Skinny
“A former flatmate of a clutch of successful Bristol-based comics that included Russell Howard
and Jon Richardson, John Robins could be the next of his peer group to go on to greater
things.”
The Independent ★★★★
“An hour in his charming, generous and honest company is so effortlessly entertaining”
Chortle ★★★★
“One of the most naturally gifted comedians I’ve seen”
Telegraph
“Awesomely self-possessed”
Guardian