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Begin Again with Davina McCall

Joel Dommett: Why Loving My Life Terrifies Me!

Begin Again with Davina McCall

FlightStory

Mental Health, Education, Society & Culture, Self-improvement, Health & Fitness

4.6971 Ratings

🗓️ 19 March 2026

⏱️ 75 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Sometimes beginning again means not starting over, but learning how to see your life in a new way… In this episode of Begin Again, Joel Dommett opens up about the unexpected path behind his success, and the quiet insecurities that never quite go away. From growing up feeling like he wasn’t naturally good at anything, to performing hundreds of gigs just to get better, Joel shares the reality of building a career through persistence rather than talent. What looks like overnight success is, in truth, years of rejection, self-doubt, and relentless effort. But this conversation goes far beyond comedy. Joel reflects on how becoming a father completely changed his perspective on time, success, and what really matters. For the first time, he began to slow down, to be present, and to recognise just how quickly life moves. And with that joy came something he didn’t expect… fear. He speaks candidly about the vulnerability that comes with loving your life, your partner, your child, and the quiet anxiety that it could all be taken away. It’s an honest and deeply human exploration of what it means to feel grateful, and scared, at the same time. From near-misses in his career to moments that could have gone completely wrong, Joel shares how some of the most uncertain decisions led to the biggest opportunities, and why embracing the unknown is often the thing that moves us forward. This episode is about joy, perspective, and the courage to keep going, even when you don’t feel like you’re the most naturally talented person in the room. 🌟 Like, comment, and subscribe for more powerful conversations about resilience, growth, and beginning again. Tap the bell to stay connected with new episodes of Begin Again. Follow us here: 📸 www.instagram.com/beginagain 🎥 https://www.tiktok.com/@beginagainpod ✨Sign up for the Begin Again newsletter for all your behind the scenes access, recommendations and much much more at: https://linkly.link/2dwmf?utm_source=spotify&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=always-on   Follow Joel: https://www.instagram.com/joeldommett/ See Joel Live: https://lwtheatres.co.uk/whats-on/joel-dommett-happy-idiot/ Comic Relief: https://www.comicrelief.com/ (00:00) Intro (01:10) Co-Hosting Comic Relief With Davina and Catherine Tate (08:20) Joel on Landing The Masked Singer (12:54) Learning to Slow Down and Enjoy His Life (15:45) Air BnB Ad (16:54) Paramount Ad (18:13) Joy The Masked Singer Brings (23:50) The Masked Singer Secrets! (29:02) Becoming a Father (33:18) Bloom & Wild Ad (34:22) Stand-Up and the Comedy Scene (39:44) Joel on Moving to London and Finding Comedy (49:31) Catfish Gate and Not Letting it Define Him (01:02:06) Meeting his Wife, Hannah (01:10:56) A Special Letter to Joel Sponsored by: Your home might be worth more than you think. Find out how much at Airbnb.co.uk/Host Episodes 1-3 of The Madison are available to stream on Paramount+ now: https://www.paramountplus.com/gb/shows/the-madison/Episodes 4-6 will be available to stream on 21 March. Bloom & Wild - use code DAVINA for 15% off at https://www.bloomandwild.com/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=begin_again Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Now, are all the traitors present?

0:02.0

Let's get started, shall we?

0:04.0

From rags to riches.

0:06.0

I'm so sick of this.

0:07.0

Working like a dog and being treated worse.

0:09.0

Yorkshire to New York.

0:10.0

Poor climbers, you and me.

0:12.0

A life dedicated to revenge.

0:14.0

Let's make this an occasion to remember.

0:17.0

A Woman of Substance on Channel 4.

0:19.0

Stream now.

0:20.0

Must remember.

0:22.9

Do not forget.

0:27.3

Remind me to bring photo ID.

0:30.2

Reminder set.

0:32.0

Babe, can you make sure I don't forget my photo ID when I vote?

0:35.9

All right, love.

0:37.0

However you remember, you'll need photo ID to vote in the elections in England on the 7th of May. Don't have ID. Apply for free voter ID today. Find out more at electoral commission.org....slashvoter ID. I was talking to this catfish lady. We have Skype sex. They've got a video of me. Right.

0:55.0

It's all awful. But then I find a real person whose photo they've stolen.

0:58.0

And we end up dating for like six months. She moves back to Russia. I then have Skype sex with her.

1:04.0

Everything that was happening to me was comedy. I just was gigging every night trying to survive. I'm five pounds. I did a gig was so bad. An audience member, we went, oh, thank God, I thought you had such a bad gig that you could... But I remember I'm a celebrity, get me out of here. They were looking for the new stand-up to be on that show. Got down to me, Joe Lysett and Rob Beckett. It went to Rob and then this is the map part. And also my wife

1:28.9

slid into my DMs. The TV was on in the corner of the bar and she saw me on Lorraine. She

...

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