David Earl (actor)

David Geoffrey Earl (born 20 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 My New Football Club. He also co-wrote and starred in the feature film Brian and Charles where he plays an isolated inventor who builds a robot.

David Earl
Earl in 2008.
Birth nameDavid Geoffrey Earl
Born (1974-03-20) 20 March 1974[1]
MediumStand-up comedy, actor, writer
Years active2006–present
GenresCringe comedy, Dark comedy, Surreal humour

Early life

Earl was born in Crawley on 20 March 1974.[2] Before undertaking acting roles, Earl worked as a gardener[3] and as a van driver, delivering building tools.

Comedy career

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

Earl has three children and lives in Devon.[10]

Filmography
Year Title Role Episodes Notes
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 Bob 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.[11]

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, Lolly Adefope, and Scroobius Pip.[12]

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[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

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

My New Football Club

In 2021, David Earl and Joe Wilkinson began a podcast called My New Football Club. The show is now presented by Earl and Jon Beer 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]

References
  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. 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/
  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
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