Talent, entertainment, sports and advisory company UTA has signed British comedian Simon Brodkin, calling him “one of the U.K.’s most exciting stand-up comedians.”
Brodkin has become a popular voice in the digital and stand-up worlds after earlier in his career being known for portraying such outrageous characters as the brash and loutish “comedy legend” Lee Nelson and superstar Liverpool soccer player Jason Bent. He has also made headlines by playing pranks on such public figures as Donald Trump, Kanye West, and former FIFA boss Sepp Blatter.
Brodkin’s recent 170-date international “Screwed Up” tour was extended four times due to strong ticket demand, including an appearance at the Royal Variety Performance in front of Prince William and Kate Middleton. He also released a recording of “Screwed Up” on YouTube, which became the most viewed U.K. special to premiere on the streaming platform. His stand-up clips routinely draw millions of online views.
“We’re very excited to work with Simon, who is truly in the Premier League of U.K. stand-ups,” said London-based UTA comedy touring agent Bjorn Wentlandt. “We are looking forward to many years of success as he continues his extraordinary, incredible, unstoppable rise to the top.”
“Simon had early TV and touring success,” London-based UTA comedy touring agent Bjorn Wentlandt told THR about the 48-year-old. “And since going through a reinvention, he has had this massive resurgence in his career by leaning into the digital space as himself.”
Said Brodkin: “I wanted elite level representation for my international tours, and with Bjorn and UTA I have signed with the best in class.”
The goal is to help the comedian accelerate his success around the world, including the U.S., with a focus on touring opportunities. Wentlandt cites the opportunity to leverage the 20-plus strong comedy touring department at UTA, with offices in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and London.
Brodkin, who has been billed “the world’s most famous blagger,” has in the past also made headlines with hoaxes mocking famous people. In June 2016, for example, before Trump won his first U.S. presidential election, Brodkin crashed the re-opening of the Trump Turnberry golf resort in Scotland, handing out golf balls emblazoned with red swastikas. In October 2017, he interrupted then-U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May’s speech at her Conservative Party conference, handing her a mocked-up employment termination form amid speculation that then-Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson was planning to replace her, which he later did.
In 2015, Brodkin made headlines by showering Sepp Blatter, then-head of the corruption scandal-engulfed world soccer governing body FIFA, with fake dollar bills. He also once joined Kanye West on stage at the Glastonbury Festival.
Brodkin joins UTA’s growing international comedy roster that also includes the likes of Celeste Barber, Vittorio Angelone, Zakir Khan, Grace Campbell, Dan and Phil, Red Richardson, Vir Das, and Foil, Arms and Hog.
