Will Smith is one of the most in-demand stand-up comedians and comedy writers in the UK today.
Although he can still often be seen performing in comedy clubs, Will has taken a break from touring to concentrate on his radio and TV work. In the past few years, Will has presented a documentary for BBC3 entitled THE HISTORY OF THE C WORD. He has become a regular guest on BBC Radio 4’s BANTER, THE PERSONALITY TEST, I GUESS THAT’S WHY THEY CALL IT THE NEWS, and the Sony Award Winning CHARM OFFENSIVE (on which he was also a writer). He has become a regular reporter and guest on BBC1’s FILM 2009 WITH JONATHAN ROSS, BBC2’s STRICTLY COME DANCING, IT TAKES TWO and BBC4’s LATE EDITION and has appeared on NEVER MIND THE BUZZCOCKS and THE CHARLOTTE CHURCH SHOW.
As an actor, he has been filming with BREMNER, BIRD & FORTUNE and writing and filming with both THE OMID DJALILI SHOW, and with HARRY ENFIELD and PAUL WHITEHOUSE and working on a number of projects with ARMANDO IANNUCCI, including TIME TRUMPET for BBC2 and writing and performing in the BAFTA Award-winning THE THICK OF IT and the feature film version IN THE LOOP. He has also written and starred in two series for BBC Radio 4 entitled THE TAO OF BERGERAC and WILL SMITH’S MIDLIFE CRISIS MANAGEMENT.
Will’s career first started to take off in 2003 when he performed his first solo show at the Edinburgh Fringe, WILL SMITH IS MUCH OBLIGED, which proved to be such a hit that he was invited to perform a run in at the Soho Theatre and was also asked to co-present WIFE FOR WILLIAM for Channel 4. Will returned to Edinburgh in 2004 with his much acclaimed sell-out show 10 ARGUMENTS I SHOULD HAVE WON which then toured the UK in Spring 2005. Again, his success in Edinburgh led to him being invited to appear at the ROYAL VARIETY PERFORMANCE in 2004, which was broadcast on BBC1, being nominated for THE SOUTH BANK SHOW BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST AWARD 2005 (the only comedian in that category), and being asked to be a regular contributor on BBC3’s new topical comedy show COMIC SIDE OF 7 DAYS. Will’s Edinburgh show for 2005 was MISPLACED CHILDHOOD, (which used the 20th anniversary of the Marillion album by the same name as a springboard to examine how childhoods have changed), was another smash hit. The 2006 tour kicked off with the 6 night run at the Soho Theatre selling out almost as soon as it went on sale. It has also made him a bit of a cult hero amongst Marillion fans!
2006’s Edinburgh show was HOW TO BE COOL again, a big hit, was followed by a run in London’s West End and led to him publishing a book of the same name.
Will’s other TV and radio credits include BBC’s NEVER MIND THE FULL STOPS, CH4’s BACK IN THE DAY, CH4’s 11 O’CLOCK SHOW, BBC2’s HAPPINESS, BBC1’s THE STAND UP SHOW, Five’s THE WRIGHT STUFF, TIME GENTLEMEN PLEASE on SKY, Paramount’s ONE HUNDRED POUNDS IN BRIGHTON and THE WORLD STANDS UP. He has been a guest on various BBC Radio 2 shows for CLAUDIA WINKLEMAN, CLIVE ANDERSON, DARA O BRIAIN and LEE MACK. He has also been a regular reporter for CH4’s RICHARD & JUDY.
Will is also well known as an author. Together with his writing partner, Roger Drew, he has written two books called THE JOY OF NO SEX and HOW TO BE COOL.