Marcus Brigstocke, a comedian and regular contributor to BBC Radio 4, has had a fascinating journey through both his career and personal life. Born in Surrey, he gained recognition in 1996 when he won the BBC New Comedy Award. He is known for his wit and humor, often seen on programs like I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and Just a Minute. He also hosts the podcast How Was It For You? alongside his wife, Rachel Parris. Despite his public persona, Brigstocke has faced numerous personal challenges, particularly with addiction, which he has battled throughout his adult life.
Brigstocke’s reflections on happiness are heartwarming. He finds his happiest moments in the morning when he sees his three-year-old child, whose joy is a simple but profound source of happiness. However, when it comes to his greatest fear, he admits that loneliness once loomed large, and may still be a lingering concern. His self-description, “Big. Funny. Man,” is a straightforward, unpretentious take on his personality, reflecting his comfort with who he is.
He has been open about his struggles with weight, admitting that his thighs have taken the brunt of his fluctuating weight over the years. Despite this, he embraces his body and his sense of humor about it. Brigstocke also shares that he is prone to long, indulgent baths, sometimes lasting over two hours, which he calls his guilty pleasure. He’s also candid about his habits, acknowledging that he farts a lot, and his celebrity crush is Robert Smith, the lead singer of The Cure.
Brigstocke’s relationship with his parents is one of gratitude, particularly because they were there for him throughout his battles with addiction. His struggles began with an eating disorder at the age of 10, followed by alcohol and drug dependency. While his parents may not have fully understood what he was going through, their unwavering support played a crucial role in his recovery.
In terms of regrets, Brigstocke offers a lighthearted apology to his wife, acknowledging the possibility of having done something wrong, though he seems to leave the specifics vague. He describes love as a feeling of warmth, akin to becoming comfortable after being cold, a simple but meaningful way of understanding affection.
In his view, the person he most despises is Andrew Tate, who he feels is leading young men astray with toxic and harmful ideologies. When it comes to dreams, Brigstocke humorously recalls a particularly bizarre one where he was having sex with comedian Jimmy Carr though in this dream, Carr’s body was a guitar. It’s a bizarre but telling reflection of his often irreverent sense of humor.
His biggest disappointment in life, he confesses, is Morrissey, someone he once admired but whose actions and beliefs have soured his image. As for sex, he humorously notes that with a three-year-old child, his sex life is probably not as active as it could be. Yet, he admits that a break from the internet for everyone would vastly improve his quality of life, showcasing his desire for peace and quiet in an increasingly connected world.
Brigstocke’s interactions with the law have been minimal, though he has lost his driving license a couple of times due to speeding. When it comes to the hypothetical choices of more sex, money, or fame, he opts for more sex, a preference that reveals his focus on personal fulfillment over material gain. He hopes to be remembered as someone who was kind, a legacy that speaks to his character and values.
Ultimately, Brigstocke has learned one of life’s most important lessons: to live fully in the present moment. When asked about what happens after death, he humbly admits that he doesn’t know, and he is perfectly fine with not having all the answers.
