Dara Ó Briain

Dara Ó Briain is one of the best-known comedians in Ireland and Britain, famous for his work on shows including Mock the Week and The Panel. The BAFTA-nominated performer is also known for his sell-out stand-up tours, and for his writing, which has appeared in publications including The Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Times, and in several books written for both adults and children.

Ó Briain began performing stand-up on Ireland’s comedy circuit after university, and began his television career as a children’s presenter on RTÉ’s Echo Island. Over the following years, he quickly came to national prominence, starring as team captain on the hit comedy panel show Don’t Feed the Gondolas, hosting family entertainment show It’s A Family Affair, and finally presenting hit comedy talk show The Panel.

Today, Ó Briain is based in the UK, and is known to millions as the long-time host of satirical panel show Mock the Week. Besides this, he has presented five seasons of The Apprentice spin-off You’re Fired!, co-hosted the rebooted Robot Wars, and fronted School of Hard Sums on Dave. He has made appearances on shows including Would I Lie to You?, The Last Leg, QI and Have I Got News For You, and on Radio 4 comedy shows including Just a Minute and The Infinite Monkey Cage. Pursuing his interest in science, he has presented Stargazing Live, hosted the series Dara Ó Briain’s Science Club, and interviewed Stephen Hawking for BBC One.

Ó Briain has performed across the world, has taken his work to festivals such as Montreal’s Just For Laughs, Kilkenny Cat Laughs and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and has headlined venues such as London’s Hammersmith Apollo and The Playhouse in Edinburgh. He has made more appearances on Live at the Apollo than any other performer.