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{{short description|British actor and comedian|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{BLP IMDb refimprove|date=March 2013}}
{{BLP sources|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox comedian
|name=David Earl
|image=Brian Gittins at You Jest (3180068492).jpg
|caption=Earl in 2008.
|birth_name=David Geoffrey Earl
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1974|3|9|df=yes}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Joseph Roland Wilkinson – Personal Appointments |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/DmUuB5ladH17IdFvpcv640yVyoQ/appointments |work=Companies House |access-date=5 June 2022 |language=en |quote=Occupation: Comedian}}</ref>
|medium=Stand-up comedy, actor, writer
|years_active=2006–present
|genre=[[Cringe comedy]], [[Dark comedy]], [[Surreal humour]]
}}


'''David Earl''' is a [[British people|British]] actor and comedian, best known for his comedy character Brian Gittins. He has featured in several projects associated with [[Ricky Gervais]], most notably as Kevin 'Kev' Twine in the sitcom [[Derek (TV series)|''Derek'']], and in smaller roles in ''[[Extras (TV series)|Extras]]'' and the film ''[[Cemetery Junction (film)|Cemetery Junction]]''. He also co-wrote and starred in the sitcom [[Rovers (UK TV series)|''Rovers'']] for Sky 1 with [[Joe Wilkinson]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://corporate.sky.com/media-centre/news-page/2015/sky-1-scores-a-blinder-with-rovers,-a-brand-new-comedy-produced-by-craig-cash|title=Sky 1 scores a blinder with Rovers, a brand new comedy produced by Craig Cash|website=corporate.sky.com|language=en|access-date=2017-04-01}}</ref>
'''David Geoffrey Earl''' (born 9 March 1974) is a [[British people|British]] actor and comedian, best known for his comedy character Brian Gittins. He has featured in several projects associated with [[Ricky Gervais]], most notably as Kevin "Kev" Twine in the comedy-drama ''[[Derek (TV series)|Derek]]'', and in smaller roles in ''[[Extras (TV series)|Extras]]'', ''[[After Life (TV series)|After Life]]'' and the film ''[[Cemetery Junction (film)|Cemetery Junction]]''. Earl also works frequently with comic [[Joe Wilkinson]]. Together they co-wrote and starred in the sitcom [[Rovers (TV series)|''Rovers'']], and the comedy series ''[[The Cockfields]]''. They also host three podcasts called ''Gossipmongers'', ''Chatabix'' and ''You Don't Know What You're Doing''. He also co-wrote and starred in the feature film ''[[Brian and Charles]]'' where he plays an isolated inventor who builds a robot.


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Earl was born in [[Crawley]] on 9 March 1974.<ref>{{Cite web |title=David Geoffrey EARL personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK |url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/DmUuB5ladH17IdFvpcv640yVyoQ/appointments |access-date=2022-06-05 |website=find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk |language=en}}</ref> Before undertaking acting roles, Earl worked as a gardener,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/david-earl-interview-derek|title=David Earl interview for Derek|work=Channel 4 press|date=16 January 2013|access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref> a greenkeeper at a golf club, a van driver delivering building tools, and a window cleaner.
Before undertaking any acting roles, Earl worked as a gardener<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/david-earl-interview-for-derek|title=David Earl interview for Derek - Channel 4 - Info - Press|website=www.channel4.com|language=en-us|access-date=2017-04-01}}</ref> and as a van driver, delivering building tools<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.acast.com/distractionpieces/davidearl-joewilkinson-distractionpiecespodcastwithscroobiuspip-99|title=David Earl & Joe Wilkinson - Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip #99 {{!}} Distraction Pieces Podcast with Scroobius Pip on acast|last=acast|date=2016-05-24|work=acast|access-date=2017-04-01|language=en}}</ref>


== Comedy career ==
== Comedy career ==
One of his earliest online videos featured him playing a character called Graham which he sent to a friend who showed it to [[Ricky Gervais]] and [[Stephen Merchant]].<ref name=":0" /> They liked the video and Gervais asked Earl to play an obsessive fan, based on the character from the video, that talks to [[Andy Millman]] in a pub in an episode of [[Extras (TV series)|''Extras'']].<ref name=":0" /> Around this time Earl performed the role of Tony Queen in the film ''The Penalty King''<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://digiguide.tv/programme/Film/The-Penalty-King/733470/|title=The Penalty King|last=Limited|first=GipsyMedia|website=digiguide.tv|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-04-01}}</ref>
One of Earl's earliest online videos featured him playing a character called Graham, which he sent to a friend who showed it to [[Ricky Gervais]] and [[Stephen Merchant]]. They liked the video and Gervais asked Earl to play an obsessive fan, based on the character from the video, who talks to [[List of Extras characters#Andy Millman|Andy Millman]] in a pub in an episode of [[Extras (TV series)|''Extras'']]. Around this time Earl played Tony Queen in the film ''The Penalty King''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://digiguide.tv/programme/Film/The-Penalty-King/733470|title=The Penalty King (2006)|work=[[DigiGuide]]|accessdate=24 October 2017}}</ref>


Earl would go on to create a number of online videos in character as Brian Gittins and play this role in the film [[Cemetery Junction (film)|''Cemetery Junction'']].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/may/20/twitter-sex-therapist-dr-peter-thraft|title=Twitter sex therapist exposed|last=Dowell|first=Ben|date=2011-05-20|work=The Guardian|access-date=2017-04-01|last2=Frost|first2=Vicky|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In 2012 a sitcom pilot entitled ''Gittins'' was broadcast on [[Channel 4]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/brian_gittins/|title=Gittins - C4 Sitcom - British Comedy Guide|last=Guide|first=British Comedy|website=British Comedy Guide|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-04-01}}</ref> In the pilot Gittins is a taxi driver. Previously the character had been a Cafe owner and this discrepancy is highlighted in an episode of the podcast ''Flatshare Slamdown'' on which Earl appeared as Brian.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/flatshare_slamdown/2_4_thermostat/|title=Series 2, Episode 4 (Thermostat) - Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown - British Comedy Guide|last=Guide|first=British Comedy|website=British Comedy Guide|language=en-GB|access-date=2017-04-01}}</ref> Earl continues to perform live regularly as Gittins and in 2017 is touring a show entitled ''Don't Feed the Monkey Man''<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://machcomedyfest.co.uk/briangittins2017|title=What's On {{!}} Machynlleth Comedy Festival|website=machcomedyfest.co.uk|access-date=2017-04-01}}</ref> He also releases new episodes of the ''Brian Gittins and Friends'' podcast on a regular basis.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/nj7mk-429cd/Brian+Gittins+and+Friends|title=Brian Gittins and Friends {{!}} Podbean|last=Development|first=PodBean|website=www.podbean.com|language=en|access-date=2017-04-01}}</ref>
Earl went on to create a number of online videos in character as Brian Gittins and played this role in the film ''Cemetery Junction''.<ref name="Guardian">{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/may/20/twitter-sex-therapist-dr-peter-thraft|title=Twitter sex therapist exposed|work=[[The Guardian]]|first1=Ben|last1=Dowell|first2=Vicky|last2=Frost|issn=0261-3077|date=20 May 2011}}</ref> In 2012 a sitcom pilot entitled ''Gittins'' was broadcast on [[Channel 4]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/tv/brian_gittins|title=Gittins|work=[[British Comedy Guide]]|accessdate=24 October 2019}}</ref> In the pilot Gittins works as a taxi driver: previously the character had been a cafe owner and this discrepancy is highlighted in an episode of the podcast ''Flatshare Slamdown'', in which Earl appears as Brian.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.comedy.co.uk/podcasts/flatshare_slamdown/2_4_thermostat/|title=Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown: Series 2, Episode 4 (Thermostat)|work=British Comedy Guide|accessdate=24 October 2019}}</ref> He releases regular ''Brian Gittins and Friends'' podcasts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.podbean.com/podcast-detail/nj7mk-429cd/Brian+Gittins+and+Friends|title=Brian Gittins and Friends|work=PodBean|date=10 August 2012|accessdate=24 October 2019}}</ref>


Another of Earl's characters is Steve Cumberland, mostly referred to as Cumbo, who features in a number of online videos, including a [[Channel 4]] Comedy Blaps series<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-comedy-commissions-cumbo-from-retort|title=Channel 4 comedy commissions Cumbo from Retort - Channel 4 - Info - Press|website=www.channel4.com|language=en-us|access-date=2017-04-01}}</ref> This series comprises three videos and was co-written with [[Brett Goldstein]] who Earl acted alongside in [[Derek (TV series)|''Derek'']] and in a series of online videos for Mr Box in which Brian Gittins records a [[hip hop]] track.
Another of Earl's characters is Steve "Cumbo" Cumberland, who features in a number of online videos, including a Channel 4 ''Comedy Blaps'' series, co-written with [[Brett Goldstein]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.channel4.com/press/news/channel-4-comedy-commissions-cumbo-retort|title=Channel 4 comedy commissions Cumbo from Retort|work=Channel 4 press|accessdate=24 October 2019}}</ref>


In 2011, David Earl was revealed to be the person behind the popular Twitter account of Dr Peter Thraft, a supposed sex therapist<ref name=":1" />
In 2011, Earl was revealed to be the person behind the popular Twitter account of Dr Peter Thraft, a supposed sex therapist.<ref name="Guardian"/>


==References==
== Personal life ==
Earl has three children and lives in [[Devon]] with his wife Naomi.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pilditch |first=David |date=2020-07-15 |title=How After Life star David Earl wowed fans in lockdown with online cricket |url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1309674/after-life-david-earl-online-cricket-lockdown |access-date=2022-05-06 |website=Express.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>


== Filmography ==
{{BLP sources|date=February 2017}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;"
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Episodes
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
|1998
|''TFI Friday''
|Mrs Evans (comedy skit as a man wearing a bride's gown)
|s3 e23 episode
|
|-
|2006
|''[[Extras (TV series)|Extras]]''
|Obsessive fan
|1 episode
|
|-
|2006
|''The Penalty King''
|Tony Queen
|Film
|
|-
|2007
|''[[The Inspector Lynley Mysteries]]''
|George
|1 episode
|
|-
|2010
|''[[Cemetery Junction (film)|Cemetery Junction]]''
|Brian
|Film
|
|-
|2011
|''Job Culture''
|Doorman
|Film
|
|-
|2012
|''4Funnies''
|Brian Gittins
|1 episode
|Writer
|-
|2012–2014
|[[Derek (TV series)|''Derek'']]
|Kevin "Kev" Twine
|14 episodes
|
|-
|2016
|[[Rovers (TV series)|''Rovers'']]
|Bruce
|6 episodes
|Writer and associate producer
|-
|2017
|''[[Drunk History (British TV series)|Drunk History]]''
|
|1 episode
|
|-
|-
|2017
|''Brian and Charles''
|Brian
|Short
|Writer
|-
|2019–2022
|''[[After Life (TV series)|After Life]]''
|Brian
|15 episodes
|
|-
|2018
|''[[Sick Note (TV series)|Sick Note]]''
|Paul
|1 episode
|
|-
|2019
|''[[The Cockfields]]''
|John
|3 episodes
|Writer and Associate producer
|-
|2022
|''[[Brian and Charles]]''
|Brian
|Film
|Writer
|-
|2023
|''[[Apocalypse Clown]]''
|Bobo
|Film
|
|}

== Podcasts ==
===''The Brian Gittins Show''===
A live radio show hosted on Spreaker from 2012-2017, where Brian played the role of 'the worst radio presenter in the world'. Callers would Skype in from around the world, and these included David Edwards and Charles Petrescu.<ref>https://thebriangittinsshow.wordpress.com/ {{User-generated source|date=August 2022}}</ref>

===''Brian Gittins and Friends''===
Brian, David Edwards and Charles Petrescu have a chat with various comedians. It started in 2016, with guests including [[John Kearns (comedian)|John Kearns]], [[Lolly Adefope]], and [[Scroobius Pip]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://play.acast.com/s/brian-gittins-and-friends | title=Brian Gittins and Friends on acast }}</ref>

===''Gossipmongers''===
In 2019, David Earl, [[Joe Wilkinson]] and Poppy Hillstead began a podcast called ''Gossipmongers'', a weekly podcast where listeners send in unsubstantiated rumours. At the end of each episode they choose their favourite piece of gossip from that episode. In September 2020 Hillstead was removed from the podcast<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2020/09/14/46903/ousted_from_her_own_podcast!|title = Ousted from her own podcast! : News 2020 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.beyondthejoke.co.uk/content/9361/poppy-hillstead-gossip|title = News: And then There Were Two...Poppy Hillstead Leaves Gossipmongers|date = 14 September 2020}}</ref> without any public explanation from Earl or Wilkinson. The podcast continued without Hillstead and all mention of her was removed including the entire back catalogue being deleted. The podcast quietly came to an end with the final full episode in February 2022. Earl and Wilkinson have both suggested there are no plans to bring it back.

===''Chatabix''===
In 2021, David Earl and Joe Wilkinson began a podcast called ''Chatabix'', originally a daily weekday podcast recorded very early in the morning. From the Summer of 2023 it is now 3 episodes a week released Tuesday to Thursday where they chat to each other as well as special guests including [[Ben Rufus Green]] their co-star from [[The Cockfields]]

===''You Don't Know What You're Doing''===
In 2021, David Earl and Joe Wilkinson began a podcast called ''My New Football Club''. The show is now presented by Earl, Jon Beer and Alfie Indra after Wilkinson left the podcast due to time commitment. The podcast was originally about David becoming a new fan of [[Exeter City]] and now provides regular updates on Exeter City including interviews with staff as well as famous fans of other teams.<ref>ITV Westcountry</ref> In 2024, the podcast was rebranded to ''You Don't Know What You're Doing.''

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==
* [https://www.david-earl.com/ Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20180828125551/https://www.david-earl.com/ Official website]
* {{IMDb name|2393045}}
* {{IMDb name|2393045}}
*[http://www.twitch.tv/davidearl David Earl] on [[Twitch (service)|Twitch]]

{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Earl, David}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Earl, David}}
[[Category:British male film actors]]
[[Category:British male film actors]]
[[Category:British male television actors]]
[[Category:British male television actors]]
[[Category:20th-century births]]
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Year of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]
[[Category:Place of birth missing (living people)]]


{{UK-actor-stub}}

Latest revision as of 19:17, 30 November 2024

David Earl
Earl in 2008.
Birth nameDavid Geoffrey Earl
Born (1974-03-09) 9 March 1974 (age 50)[1]
MediumStand-up comedy, actor, writer
Years active2006–present
GenresCringe comedy, Dark comedy, Surreal humour

David Geoffrey Earl (born 9 March 1974) is a British actor and comedian, best known for his comedy character Brian Gittins. He has featured in several projects associated with Ricky Gervais, most notably as Kevin "Kev" Twine in the comedy-drama Derek, and in smaller roles in Extras, After Life and the film Cemetery Junction. Earl also works frequently with comic Joe Wilkinson. Together they co-wrote and starred in the sitcom Rovers, and the comedy series The Cockfields. They also host three podcasts called Gossipmongers, Chatabix and You Don't Know What You're Doing. He also co-wrote and starred in the feature film Brian and Charles where he plays an isolated inventor who builds a robot.

Early life

[edit]

Earl was born in Crawley on 9 March 1974.[2] Before undertaking acting roles, Earl worked as a gardener,[3] a greenkeeper at a golf club, a van driver delivering building tools, and a window cleaner.

Comedy career

[edit]

One of Earl's earliest online videos featured him playing a character called Graham, which he sent to a friend who showed it to Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. They liked the video and Gervais asked Earl to play an obsessive fan, based on the character from the video, who talks to Andy Millman in a pub in an episode of Extras. Around this time Earl played Tony Queen in the film The Penalty King.[4]

Earl went on to create a number of online videos in character as Brian Gittins and played this role in the film Cemetery Junction.[5] In 2012 a sitcom pilot entitled Gittins was broadcast on Channel 4.[6] In the pilot Gittins works as a taxi driver: previously the character had been a cafe owner and this discrepancy is highlighted in an episode of the podcast Flatshare Slamdown, in which Earl appears as Brian.[7] He releases regular Brian Gittins and Friends podcasts.[8]

Another of Earl's characters is Steve "Cumbo" Cumberland, who features in a number of online videos, including a Channel 4 Comedy Blaps series, co-written with Brett Goldstein.[9]

In 2011, Earl was revealed to be the person behind the popular Twitter account of Dr Peter Thraft, a supposed sex therapist.[5]

Personal life

[edit]

Earl has three children and lives in Devon with his wife Naomi.[10]

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Episodes Notes
1998 TFI Friday Mrs Evans (comedy skit as a man wearing a bride's gown) s3 e23 episode
2006 Extras Obsessive fan 1 episode
2006 The Penalty King Tony Queen Film
2007 The Inspector Lynley Mysteries George 1 episode
2010 Cemetery Junction Brian Film
2011 Job Culture Doorman Film
2012 4Funnies Brian Gittins 1 episode Writer
2012–2014 Derek Kevin "Kev" Twine 14 episodes
2016 Rovers Bruce 6 episodes Writer and associate producer
2017 Drunk History 1 episode
2017 Brian and Charles Brian Short Writer
2019–2022 After Life Brian 15 episodes
2018 Sick Note Paul 1 episode
2019 The Cockfields John 3 episodes Writer and Associate producer
2022 Brian and Charles Brian Film Writer
2023 Apocalypse Clown Bobo Film

Podcasts

[edit]

The Brian Gittins Show

[edit]

A live radio show hosted on Spreaker from 2012-2017, where Brian played the role of 'the worst radio presenter in the world'. Callers would Skype in from around the world, and these included David Edwards and Charles Petrescu.[11]

Brian Gittins and Friends

[edit]

Brian, David Edwards and Charles Petrescu have a chat with various comedians. It started in 2016, with guests including John Kearns, Lolly Adefope, and Scroobius Pip.[12]

Gossipmongers

[edit]

In 2019, David Earl, Joe Wilkinson and Poppy Hillstead began a podcast called Gossipmongers, a weekly podcast where listeners send in unsubstantiated rumours. At the end of each episode they choose their favourite piece of gossip from that episode. In September 2020 Hillstead was removed from the podcast[13][14] without any public explanation from Earl or Wilkinson. The podcast continued without Hillstead and all mention of her was removed including the entire back catalogue being deleted. The podcast quietly came to an end with the final full episode in February 2022. Earl and Wilkinson have both suggested there are no plans to bring it back.

Chatabix

[edit]

In 2021, David Earl and Joe Wilkinson began a podcast called Chatabix, originally a daily weekday podcast recorded very early in the morning. From the Summer of 2023 it is now 3 episodes a week released Tuesday to Thursday where they chat to each other as well as special guests including Ben Rufus Green their co-star from The Cockfields

You Don't Know What You're Doing

[edit]

In 2021, David Earl and Joe Wilkinson began a podcast called My New Football Club. The show is now presented by Earl, Jon Beer and Alfie Indra after Wilkinson left the podcast due to time commitment. The podcast was originally about David becoming a new fan of Exeter City and now provides regular updates on Exeter City including interviews with staff as well as famous fans of other teams.[15] In 2024, the podcast was rebranded to You Don't Know What You're Doing.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Joseph Roland Wilkinson – Personal Appointments". Companies House. Retrieved 5 June 2022. Occupation: Comedian
  2. ^ "David Geoffrey EARL personal appointments - Find and update company information - GOV.UK". find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  3. ^ "David Earl interview for Derek". Channel 4 press. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  4. ^ "The Penalty King (2006)". DigiGuide. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  5. ^ a b Dowell, Ben; Frost, Vicky (20 May 2011). "Twitter sex therapist exposed". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077.
  6. ^ "Gittins". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  7. ^ "Pappy's Flatshare Slamdown: Series 2, Episode 4 (Thermostat)". British Comedy Guide. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Brian Gittins and Friends". PodBean. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  9. ^ "Channel 4 comedy commissions Cumbo from Retort". Channel 4 press. Retrieved 24 October 2019.
  10. ^ Pilditch, David (15 July 2020). "How After Life star David Earl wowed fans in lockdown with online cricket". Express.co.uk. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  11. ^ https://thebriangittinsshow.wordpress.com/ [user-generated source]
  12. ^ "Brian Gittins and Friends on acast".
  13. ^ "Ousted from her own podcast! : News 2020 : Chortle : The UK Comedy Guide".
  14. ^ "News: And then There Were Two...Poppy Hillstead Leaves Gossipmongers". 14 September 2020.
  15. ^ ITV Westcountry
[edit]
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