Dara O'Briain Biography
Dara O'Briain is a stand-up comedian, and television presenter, best known in the UK for hosting BBC's Apprentice and Mock the Week, and in Ireland for hosting RTÉ 2's The Panel.
Dara O'Briain has developed an enormous reputation as an awards host at ceremonies and corporate events, his diversity as a presenter is exemplified by the range of evenings he has hosted including the European Advertising Awards in the Grosvenor Hotel’s Great room, to the Irish Rock and Pop awards, held in the Point depot in Dublin, in front of 5,000 people.
Dara's Background
Dara is one the few performers to host succcesful comedy shows in both the UK and his native Ireland at the same time. He started his career in television as a children's presenter on RTÉ whilst performing his first stand-up gig on the Irish comedy circuit, after studying at University College, Dublin, where he studied Mathematical Physics.
O'Briain spent three years as a presenter on the bilingual (Irish and English) children's programme Echo Island but came to prominence as a team captain on the topical panel show Don't Feed The Gondolas (1998-2000). He left the show midway through its fifth season in order to perform at the Adelaide and Melbourne comedy festivals.
Happy Ending Productions
Dara later co-founded the televison production company Happy Endings Productions, whose most famous show in Ireland is The Panel. The show has become one of the most talked about shows in Ireland and was twice nominated for the Best Entertainment show IFTA (Irish Film and Televison Award).
O'Briain's big break in UK television came in 2003 when he became host of BBC2's Live Floor Show. This led to an appearance as guest and, ultimately, four appearances as guest host of the popular news quiz, Have I Got News For You. By this time he had moved to the UK and was working on the British circuit full-time.
Best Headline Act
The basis for this success is Dara’s place at the very top of the stand-up circuit. Winner of the Chortle award for ‘Best Headline Act’ in both 2003 and 2004, Dara has performed virtually all over the world, from Dubai to Shanghai, and at all the major festivals from Melbourne to Montreal. He has performed at the world famous Just for Laughs Festival Gala, and has appeared in the UK’s ultimate showcase for entertainers, The Royal Variety Performance.
Dara continues to keep busy. His topical comedy show for the BBC, Mock The Week, has been such a hit that it is now in it’s fifth series and he is soon to start filming another special for the BBC with Griff Rhys-Jones & Rory McGrath after the huge success of the journey that inspired Three Men In A Boat. Additionally, he has shown his versatility as fabulous presenter on the BBC series 'Apprentice - You're Fired.'
Award Ceremonies & more...
When not touring or televising, Dara O'Briain can either be found fronting prominent awards ceremonies and corporate events, or devising more telly projects with his company.
For further information or to book Dara O'Briain, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Dara O'Briain News
A selection of relevant news related to Dara O'Briain, Awards Hosts & Presenter and Comedy & Cabaret, ::SPEAKER_TOPIC::N:: stories. For more information on Dara O'Briain or details as to how to book Dara O'Briain for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Line Up Announced for Science 2013
3rd May 2013
The Cheltenham Science Festival is considered to be the country’s number one science festival and this year’s line up has now been announced.
Jo Malone, Dara O’Briain and Jenny Éclair on Apprentice, You’re Hired
7th June 2012
Retail entrepreneur Jo Malone, actress and presenter Denise Van Outen and comedians Jenny Eclair and Dara O’Briain appeared on the final instalment of The Apprentice: You’re Hired, after winner Ricky Martin was chosen by Lord Sugar.
Guardian Hay Festival Boasts Speakers Corner's Best
26th May 2011
Britain’s most exciting writers, filmmakers, comedians, politicians and musicians are headed to the Welsh town of Hay-On-Wye for the annual Guardian literary festival.
Brian Cox Sells Out at Cheltenham Science Festival
5th May 2011
Brian Cox - scientist, TV presenter and musician, is hosting one of the first events to sell out at The Cheltenham Science Festival, and as a result has announced a second event. Cox, who was a guest director at last year’s festival, has set up a Wonders of the Universe event, based on the hit BBC TV series.
David Walliams ‘Exhausted’ by 24 Hour Comic Relief Show
14th March 2011
As Red Nose Day draws closer, the stars are out in force, including comedy writer and Little Britain star David Walliams who hosted a tiring day-long panel show marathon to be shown (in shortened form!) on BBC3 over three nights this week.
Grin Up North attracts comedy headliners
12th October 2010
Grin Up North is now seen as second only to Edinburgh in terms of size and clout within the comedy industry. It has successfully attracted four of the five overall winners from this year's Edinburgh Comedy Festival, including Russell Kane, Josie Long, Sarah Milican and Greg Davies
Mock the Week & Dragons Den are back & a new science series Bang Goes the Theory starts
14th July 2009
Three television series are worth staying in for - Mock the Week, hosted by comedian Dara O'Briain, Dragons Den with favourite entrepreneurs James Caan, Duncan Bannatyne, Deborah Meaden, Theo Paphitis and Peter Jones and a brand new Tomorrow's World type science series begins called Bang Goes the Theory with presenters Liz Bonnin (pictured), Dr Yan Wong, Jem Stansfield & Dallas Campbell
Comedians, Paul O'Grady, Michael McIntyre and others, are in midst of celebrity book deal bonanza
13th July 2009
With book sales in free fall, publishers are trying to reverse the trend with a number of high profile celebrity deals. Comedians, Paul O'Grady and Michael McIntye have landed massive advances and Dara O'Briain's memoirs are due in the shops on October 1st, known as Super Thursday in the publishing world
Argumental with Marcus Brigstocke and John Sergeant
26th October 2008
The likes of Jimmy Carr, Phill Jupitus, Dara O'Briain and Johnny Vegas join team captains Rufus Hound and Marcus Brigstocke and host John Sergeant for a brand new and exclusive panel show
'Mock The Week' Returns To BBC Two This Summer
2nd July 2008
This summer sees the return of hit satirical quiz 'Mock The Week' on BBC Two. The sixth series of the quiz will run for 12 weeks from July 10.
Dara O'Briain Reviews
Dara O'Briain has spoken and appeared at a number of recent corporate events. Please find some client speaker testimonials and reviews for Dara O'Briain for a number of these events and conferences. If you would like some additional information as to how to book Dara O'Briain for your corporate event, then please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
One of the biggest and best comics in the country.Real class.
If you don't laugh at O'Briain, check your pulse, you must be dead.
Dara was absolutely the best Awards Presenter I have ever used and I've used all the top acts in my time!
As well as being likeable, intelligent and, yes, funny, O'Briain has the added bonus of being the best dressed comic.
The sharpest of the many Irish comics...a must see act.
Very easy to deal with and flexible. Very funny too
For further information or to book Dara O'Briain, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
