How a comedian turned personal heartbreak and addiction into a celebrated public journey
In short: John Robins has spent two decades evolving from a fringe stand-up performer into a prominent voice on mental health and recovery. By weaving his private struggles with alcohol and relationship breakdowns into his creative work, he has built a career defined by vulnerability, earning both critical acclaim and an honorary doctorate.
Born in 1982, John Robins began his comedy career in 2005. After years of performing solo shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, he achieved significant recognition in 2017 when he jointly won the Edinburgh Comedy Award for his show, The Darkness of Robins. This performance was notable for its raw exploration of his personal life, specifically the 2016 breakdown of his relationship with fellow comedian Sara Pascoe. The show was later filmed for the BBC and released on Netflix, marking a shift toward more introspective storytelling.
Robins is perhaps best known for his long-standing partnership with Elis James, with whom he has hosted various radio shows and podcasts since 2014. Their collaboration has been highly decorated, winning multiple industry honors, including the 2020 Audio and Radio Industry Award for Funniest Show. Beyond comedy, Robins has used his platform to address serious topics. In 2019, he and James launched the podcast How Do You Cope?, which features conversations with celebrities about their mental health challenges. In 2024, the show received the Radio Times Moment of the Year award for an episode in which Robins candidly discussed his own battle with alcohol addiction.
Since achieving sobriety in November 2022, Robins has continued to document his experiences, including his upcoming 2026 memoir, Thirst: Twelve Drinks That Changed My Life. His contributions to public discourse on mental health were formally recognized in 2026 when the Open University awarded him an honorary doctorate. Outside of his professional life, Robins maintains diverse interests, including a passion for golf, which he shares on his YouTube channel, Bad Golf, and a competitive history in board gaming, having once placed 11th in the British national Catan championships.
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