Bobby Mair

Early career and breakthrough

Bobby Mair began his stand-up comedy career in the United Kingdom after moving from Canada. He gained early recognition by winning the Laughing Horse New Act of the Year competition in 2012, a significant achievement for a newcomer on the UK circuit. This victory helped establish his profile and led to opportunities to open for established international comedians. Mair has served as a tour support act for notable figures including Jerry Sadowitz, Doug Stanhope, and Bill Burr, which provided valuable exposure. His early material often incorporated his background as a Canadian and his personal history, setting the tone for his later autobiographical work.

Television and media appearances

Mair's television career encompasses both panel show appearances and hosting roles. He became a recurring guest on popular British comedy panel shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats, Russell Howard's Good News, and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. His hosting role came with the reality horror series Killer Camp on ITV2, where he guided contestants through a comedic horror-themed competition. Mair also starred alongside his then-wife Harriet Kemsley in the Viceland reality sitcom Bobby and Harriet Get Married, which documented their relationship and wedding preparations. These appearances demonstrated his versatility, moving from sharp panel show banter to structured hosting duties on different network formats.

Other television credits include appearances on The Hour, Sweat the Small Stuff, Virtually Famous, and Sam Delaney's News Thing. His presence across these varied programs indicates a broad appeal within the UK's comedy and entertainment television landscape. The use of his personal life for the Viceland show also blurred the lines between his stand-up persona and his reality, a theme consistent with his comedic approach. He has performed on Live at The Rivermill, adding to his catalogue of recorded live comedy performances.

Stand-up comedy style and themes

Bobby Mair's stand-up comedy is characterized by a dark, autobiographical, and often brutally honest approach. He frequently uses his personal life for material, including his adoption, his family relationships, and his experiences with mental health. Mair has been open about his diagnosis of borderline personality disorder, discussing it in his act and on podcasts to bring attention to the condition. Fellow comedian Jimmy Carr has remarked that Mair is clearly a brilliant stand-up who is either destined for international stardom or to become the funniest homeless man ever. This comment captures the risky, raw edge of his performance style and the high-wire act of his comedy. Mair's act often involves discussing his traumatic childhood, a topic he covered in detail on the You'll Do podcast, and his past struggles with alcohol and drug addiction. He has stated that borderline personality disorder is a disease that has been in the public eye for years but never gets as much attention as bipolar disorder or schizophrenia.

Personal life and background

Bobby Mair was born in Canada and is adopted, with two half-siblings. He has publicly discussed his traumatic childhood and his struggles with alcohol and drug addiction, framing these experiences within his comedy and advocacy. Mair was married to British comedian Harriet Kemsley, with their wedding build-up featured on their Viceland show. The couple had one daughter, born in 2021, and in April 2024, Kemsley announced during a stand-up set broadcast on BBC Radio 4's The Now Show that she and Mair had recently been divorced.

A notable familial connection is that Mair is a second cousin once removed of Canadian pop star Justin Bieber, a fact he mentions in his act, though he states they have never met. This connection is referenced in his Edinburgh Fringe show Obviously Adopted. Mair's openness about his borderline personality disorder aims to raise its profile, noting it receives less public attention than conditions like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia. His personal history forms the core subject matter for much of his professional comedy output.

Recent work and touring schedule

As of 2026, Bobby Mair remains an active touring comedian on the UK circuit. He continues to perform regularly at major comedy clubs including The Top Secret Comedy Club, The Glee Club venues in Glasgow and Cardiff, and the Seven Dials Club. His tour schedule for late 2026 includes multiple dates, often performing alongside other comedians like Alasdair Beckett-King, Kate Barron, and Paul Pirie. Specific dates include performances at the Glasgow Glee Club on October 30 and 31, 2026, and at the Cardiff Glee Club on November 27 and 28, 2026.

Mair also undertakes tour support roles, such as supporting comedian Ed Patrick on dates in Lichfield in 2026. He is scheduled for a Friday Comedy Show in Kings Cross on October 23, 2026, and at the Watford JD Events Centre on December 5, 2026. His act, Cockroach, continues to be a featured show at these venues, and he is listed to perform with Josh Baulf at the Seven Dials Club on October 9, 2026. These ongoing engagements demonstrate his sustained popularity and presence in live comedy across the country from London to Glasgow.

Public persona and industry reception

Within the comedy industry, Bobby Mair is regarded as a uniquely talented and fearless performer. His willingness to address difficult personal topics has earned him respect for his authenticity and comedic bravery. Reviews of his work often highlight the compelling contrast between his dark subject matter and his engaging, charismatic stage presence. While based in London, he maintains his Canadian identity, which often serves as a point of reference and humour in his interactions with British audiences. His career trajectory from award-winning new act to a comedian capable of selling out shows across the UK illustrates a successful build within the alternative comedy scene. Promotional material for his 2026 tours describes him as one of the best comedians in the country. His representation by United Agents, located at 12-26 Lexington Street in London, and his continued listing on platforms like the British Comedy Guide affirm his established professional status.

Notable projects and specials

Beyond his television work, Mair's stand-up special Cockroach is a key project in his career. The special has accumulated tens of thousands of views online since its release three years prior to 2026. He has also been involved in podcast projects, such as the Year Is Podcast Live with Red Richardson. His early work was supported by a personal website that billed him as a stand-up comedian and functionally mentally ill, which has since been archived.

His role as host of Killer Camp on ITV2 placed him in a prime-time entertainment slot, distinct from his stand-up roots. The reality sitcom Bobby and Harriet Get Married provided a longer-form narrative vehicle that expanded his audience. These projects, alongside his relentless touring, form a career that balances mainstream television with a committed live comedy practice. He has also released online comedy sketches, including one where the Scooby Doo gang solves a crime in 2026.

Questions about Bobby Mair

Is Bobby Mair related to Justin Bieber?

Yes, Bobby Mair is a second cousin once removed of Canadian pop star Justin Bieber. Mair has mentioned this familial connection in his comedy, including in his Edinburgh Fringe show Obviously Adopted. However, he has consistently stated that he and Bieber have never actually met. This fact is often used as a humorous aside in his material about his family and background, contrasting his own career path with that of his famous relative.

What happened with Bobby Mair's marriage to Harriet Kemsley?

Bobby Mair married comedian Harriet Kemsley, and their relationship was documented in the Viceland show Bobby and Harriet Get Married. The couple had a daughter together in 2021. In April 2024, Kemsley used a stand-up set broadcast on the final episode of BBC Radio 4's The Now Show to announce that she and Mair had recently been divorced. The build-up to their wedding was public, but the details of their separation have remained private since the announcement.

What award did Bobby Mair win?

Bobby Mair won the Laughing Horse New Act of the Year competition in 2012. This award is a notable achievement on the UK comedy circuit for emerging comedians. Winning this competition helped launch his career, leading to increased visibility and opportunities to perform at larger venues and on television. It marked an early recognition of his distinctive comedic voice and talent within the highly competitive London comedy scene.

Where is Bobby Mair touring in 2026?

In late 2026, Bobby Mair has scheduled comedy tour dates across the United Kingdom. Confirmed venues include the Glasgow Glee Club and the Cardiff Glee Club in October and November 2026. He is also set to perform at the Seven Dials Club in London, the Watford JD Events Centre, and a Friday Comedy Show in Kings Cross. These dates are often part of mixed-bill shows featuring other comedians like Alasdair Beckett-King and Kate Barron.

Which famous comedians has Bobby Mair opened for?

Bobby Mair has opened for several globally renowned comedians as a support act. His credits include serving as tour support for Jerry Sadowitz, Doug Stanhope, and Bill Burr. These opportunities to perform alongside such established and influential figures in comedy have provided him with significant exposure and experience. It also indicates the respect he has earned within the comedy community for his act and his ability to warm up audiences for major headliners.

What is Bobby Mair's stand-up special <em>Cockroach</em> about?

Cockroach is an hour of dark, gut wrenching stand up from Bobby Mair. It is a full stand up comedy special that has been part of his live tour. The show is promoted as featuring material from one of the best comedians in the country. It has been performed at venues like The Glee Club in Glasgow and Cardiff. The special continues to be featured in his comedy dates into 2026. His work often draws from personal themes like his traumatic childhood and mental health diagnoses.

Sources: Wikipedia and current public reporting, checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-10-21.