
Simon Brodkin – Comedian, Stunts, Tour and Personal Life
Simon Brodkin: Comedian, Stuntman, and Creator of Lee Nelson
Simon Brodkin is an English stand‑up comedian and prankster best known for his tracksuit‑clad character Lee Nelson. His career is defined by a series of daring, often controversial stunts that have targeted world leaders and major institutions. Beyond the viral moments, Brodkin has built a durable comedy brand spanning BBC television, a growing YouTube presence, and a nationwide tour.
Born Simon Benjamin Brodkin on 29 September 1977, he initially qualified as a medical doctor before switching to comedy. His character Lee Nelson – a loud, working‑class “chav” – became a fixture of British pop culture through shows such as Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show and Lee Nelson’s Well Funny People on BBC Three. Alongside his television work, Brodkin has pulled off headline‑grabbing pranks, including showering FIFA president Sepp Blatter with fake money and handing Theresa May a mock P45.
Today, Brodkin is in the middle of his biggest live tour, “Unleashed”, and releases regular episodes of The Simon Brodkin Show on his official YouTube channel. His ability to blend traditional stand‑up with audacious real‑world interventions keeps audiences guessing.
Simon Brodkin Tour and Live Shows
Who is Simon Brodkin?
Simon Benjamin Brodkin (born 29 September 1977) is an English comedian known for his character Lee Nelson and world‑famous stunts.
What is he known for?
His BBC series Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show, stunts like throwing money at Sepp Blatter and interrupting Theresa May, and his current comedy tour Unleashed.
Where can you see him?
He is touring the UK in 2025 (Unleashed). Also available on YouTube (The Simon Brodkin Show) and select clips on Netflix.
Personal life
Simon Brodkin is married (wife’s name not publicly confirmed). He keeps his private life largely out of the spotlight.
Key insights about Simon Brodkin
- Simon Brodkin’s career is defined by a mix of traditional stand‑up and high‑profile, often controversial, stunts.
- His character Lee Nelson is a loutish tracksuit‑wearing everyman who became a cultural touchstone in UK comedy.
- The Unleashed tour marks his largest ever live tour, with multiple sold‑out extra dates.
- His Netflix presence is limited but includes older specials and clips; his main digital home is YouTube.
- He is active on social media (Instagram) but does not share personal details such as his wife’s identity.
Snapshot facts about Simon Brodkin
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simon Benjamin Brodkin |
| Born | 29 September 1977 (age 47) |
| Nationality | English |
| Occupation | Comedian, writer, actor |
| Famous For | Lee Nelson character, world‑stunts (Sepp Blatter, Theresa May) |
| Notable TV | Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show (BBC), Lee Nelson’s Well Funny People |
| Current Tour | Unleashed (2024–2025) |
| Wife | Married (name not publicly available) |
Simon Brodkin Wife and Personal Life
Brodkin is married to Louise Brodkin, though he rarely discusses his private life in interviews. In one candid moment, he described performing a stunt in front of his wife and recalled her reaction: “Oh sorry.” A TikTok video also suggests his wife warned him about a particular prank before he carried it out. Beyond these glimpses, little is known about their relationship, and Brodkin deliberately keeps that side of his life away from the media.
Simon Brodkin has a tattoo that reads “No regrets.” He has stated that the name and occupation of his wife are not publicly confirmed, respecting her privacy.
Simon Brodkin Characters and Notable Stunts
The Lee Nelson persona
Lee Nelson is a loutish, tracksuit‑wearing character who speaks in a thick mockney accent. Brodkin also created Jason Bent, a spoof Liverpool footballer. These characters have appeared across BBC Three shows, earning him a Writers’ Guild Award for Best Newcomer in 2006.
Infamous pranks
Brodkin’s stunts are carefully orchestrated and often carry a satirical edge. In 2015, he walked up to FIFA president Sepp Blatter during a press conference and threw a pile of fake dollar bills, shouting “Sepp, this is for North Korea in 2026.” Two years later, he handed Prime Minister Theresa May a mock P45 termination letter, saying “Boris asked me to give this to you.”
- Donald Trump (2016): Interrupted Trump’s speech at the Turnberry golf resort opening with golf balls bearing Nazi swastikas.
- Kanye West / Glastonbury (2015): Crashed Kanye West’s set on the Pyramid Stage wearing a “Lee‑zus” T‑shirt.
- Stereo Kicks / The X Factor (2014): Burst onto stage during a live broadcast to perform alongside the boyband.
- Volkswagen (2016): Pretended to install a “che box” on a car model at the Geneva Motor Show as a protest against the emissions scandal.
Before becoming a comedian, Simon Brodkin qualified as a medical doctor. He left medicine to pursue stand‑up, a background that occasionally surfaces in his material and character work.
Simon Brodkin Career Timeline: Key Dates and Events
- – Born in London.
- – First TV appearance on The Morning After Show.
- – Launched Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show on BBC Three.
- – Follow‑up series Lee Nelson’s Well Funny People.
- – Stunt at FIFA: threw fake money at Sepp Blatter during a press conference.
- – Interrupted Theresa May at the Conservative Party conference with a fake P45.
- – Launched The Simon Brodkin Show on YouTube.
- – Embarked on the Unleashed tour across the UK.
What Is Known and What Remains Unclear About Simon Brodkin?
| Established information | Information that remains unclear |
|---|---|
| Simon Brodkin was born on 29 September 1977. | The name and occupation of his wife are not publicly confirmed (he keeps personal life private). |
| He created the character Lee Nelson and performed stunts on Sepp Blatter and Theresa May. | Whether a full Netflix special is in development – only clips are currently available. |
| He is currently on the Unleashed tour with extra dates added. | The exact reasoning behind his public apology (if any) – details rely on news reports. |
Some details about Brodkin’s stunts and personal life come from news interviews and social media clips. Where information is not independently confirmed, this article notes the uncertainty.
Simon Brodkin’s Place in British Comedy
Simon Brodkin operates in the British comedic tradition of satirical character comedy, similar to Sacha Baron Cohen. His stunts leverage real‑world events for maximum media impact, often blending entertainment with political commentary. The Unleashed tour represents a shift to more traditional stand‑up while maintaining his reputation for audacious gags. His digital expansion (YouTube) shows adaptation to changing media consumption.
Brodkin’s career effectively occupies two lanes: scripted TV character work and live, unpredictable stunts. Audiences seeking his older material can find it on DVD and streaming, while new content is increasingly YouTube‑first. The lack of a central, authoritative Q&A resource about his life and work has been a clear gap that this article addresses. For another British comedian with a distinct style, read Phil Wang – Comedian, Partner, Height & Tour Details.
Sources and Quotes About Simon Brodkin
“Simon is one of the most exciting stand‑up comedians in the world! Unleashed is his biggest ever tour.”
— Simon Brodkin Official Website
“Simon Benjamin Brodkin … is an English comedian, performing both on the stand‑up circuit and in comedy television series.”
— Wikipedia
“Known for Lee Nelson’s Well Funny People (2013), The Morning After Show (2005) and Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show (2010).”
— IMDb
Summary: Simon Brodkin – What’s Next?
Simon Brodkin continues to balance stand‑up tours with his YouTube series and occasional high‑profile pranks. The Unleashed tour will run through 2025, and new episodes of The Simon Brodkin Show appear every two weeks. While no official Netflix special has been announced, his growing online audience suggests further streaming opportunities. Readers interested in another explorer‑comedian may enjoy Ella Al‑Shamahi – A Complete Profile of the Explorer and Comedian.
Frequently Asked Questions About Simon Brodkin
How old is Simon Brodkin?
He was born on 29 September 1977, making him 47 years old as of 2025.
What is Simon Brodkin’s real name?
His full name is Simon Benjamin Brodkin. He performs under his own name and as the character Lee Nelson.
Did Simon Brodkin really throw money at Sepp Blatter?
Yes, in 2015 he walked up to the FIFA president during a press conference and tossed a handful of fake dollar bills.
Is Simon Brodkin a doctor?
He qualified as a medical doctor before leaving medicine to become a full‑time comedian.
Where can I watch Simon Brodkin’s shows?
His BBC series are available on streaming and DVD. New content is published on his official YouTube channel.
Does Simon Brodkin have a Netflix special?
Only clips appear on Netflix; no full special has been announced yet.
What is Simon Brodkin’s current tour called?
His current UK tour is named Unleashed, with dates continuing into 2025.
Who is Simon Brodkin’s wife?
He is married to Louise Brodkin, but he keeps his personal life very private.
Did Simon Brodkin apologise for any of his stunts?
Reports mention an apology in connection with the Sepp Blatter stunt, but Brodkin has not publicly detailed it.
What characters does Simon Brodkin play?
His main character is Lee Nelson; he also plays Jason Bent, a spoof Liverpool footballer.