For comedian and presenter Joel Dommett, the path to primetime television fame was paved with relentless hustle, a charity shop bicycle, and a pivotal three-minute slot on a Los Angeles rooftop that cost him just ten dollars. In a reflective look back at his career, the star of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and host of The Masked Singer details the formative years that shaped his unique comedic voice.
From Countryside Quiet to Alternative Rebellion
Born in Rockhampton, Gloucestershire, in 1985, Dommett describes himself as a quiet child who was perfectly content in his own company. Growing up in the countryside, his weekends were spent exploring woods, where a good stick could provide a day's entertainment. While he wasn't the class clown, he was drawn to those who were, like his school friend Steve, who is now his head writer on his major TV shows.
His teenage years saw a foray into alternative culture, with a taste for bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit, and Nirvana. However, his rebellion had its limits. "My mum wouldn't let me grow my hair long, so I had to spike it up using gel," he recalls. His use of eyeliner and nail polish had to be applied on the school bus and removed before returning home, with a secret stash of beauty products hidden in his bedroom.
The Comedy Seed is Planted
A move to London on a whim, into a friend's spare room for £60 a month, set his professional life in motion. Initially pursuing acting, he found the scene too serious. A fateful role alongside his comedy hero, Ade Edmondson, on the sitcom Teenage Kicks led to Edmondson suggesting he try stand-up. Around the same time, the illegal filesharing site LimeWire became an unlikely tutor. After downloading every song he could find, he searched for "comedy" and discovered thousands of stand-up sets, which he studied obsessively.
The real turning point came during a trip to Los Angeles. While failing to secure Hollywood meetings, he paid $10 to a promoter for a three-minute slot between bands at the Rainbow Bar & Grill on Sunset Boulevard. "The set went fine, but I loved the experience and was hooked," Dommett says. Walking down the Sunset Strip afterwards, he knew comedy was his future.
300 Gigs, a Bike, and Finding His Voice
Inspired by Jimmy Carr's memoir, Dommett embarked on a gruelling mission to perform 300 gigs in a single year to conquer his stage fright. He bought a bike from a charity shop and cycled between multiple shows each night. This period bonded him with a cohort of now-famous comics including Josh Widdicombe, James Acaster, and Romesh Ranganathan.
"I spent eight years learning how to be myself on stage before I ever got a TV presenting job," he explains. This lengthy apprenticeship on the circuit meant the persona audiences see today is authentic, not manufactured for television. He describes himself as a "soft" person who puts immense effort into his work, driven by a respect for the large production teams behind shows like I'm a Celebrity.
Primetime Calls and Family Life
His big break into Saturday night TV almost clashed with his wedding day. When offered the hosting role on The Masked Singer, the first filming day was scheduled for his wedding. With his agent cleverly citing a scheduling conflict for fellow client Jonathan Ross, Dommett married in Mykonos and flew back to film the next day, revealing Patsy Palmer as the Butterfly.
Now a father, Dommett feels reconnected to his childhood self. He hopes to pass on the simple joys he experienced, with one clear promise to his son: "He can wear as much black eyeliner as he likes." From a quiet boy in Gloucestershire to a household name, Joel Dommett's journey is a testament to dedication, community, and the power of a three-minute slot.
