The comedian and presenter on being a quiet child, his alternative youth, and doing 300 gigs in a year
Born in Rockhampton, Gloucestershire, in 1985, Joel Dommett is a comedian and presenter. His career began with acting roles in shows such as Skins and Casualty, before making his name as a standup comedian, performing on Live at the Apollo, and becoming a household name on I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! in 2016. Dommett is the host on I’m a Celebrity … Unpacked and The Masked Singer on ITV.
This was taken outside the front door of the bungalow I grew up in. I’m stood next to my grandpa’s yellow pickup truck. That T-shirt was a gift from Uncle John who lived in South Africa.
Growing up in the countryside, I would spend all weekend in the woods – having a decent stick was enough to fill an entire day. I was a quiet child and, according to Mum, very good at being by myself. If we ever did anything wrong we would be sent to our rooms. It was the ultimate punishment for my brother to be by himself. Whereas I’d think: “Yes! I get to just sit in my room alone for hours.” In the end Mum would end up knocking on the door, saying: “You can come out now, if you like?” I was in my happy place when it was just me and my imagination.
