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John Robins

Winner of the 2017 lastminute.com Edinburgh Comedy Award, which he shared with Hannah Gadsby. Having begun comedy in 2005, and made his Edinburgh debut in 2007 as part of the Comedy Zone showcase. The following year, he teamed up with one of his contemporaries for Carl Donnelly vs John Robins vs Predator, before making his solo debut in 2009. He was named best compere in the 2015 Chortle Awards, too

John Robins and Elis James write a new book

Based on the BBC podcast How Do You Cope?

John Robins and Elis James are writing their second book, about dealing with mental health challenges.

How Do You Cope? Notes on Strength, Resilience and Finding Ourselves will be published in February next year.

It is based on the Radio 5 Live podcast of the same name, in which the comedians talk to famous names about the challenges and hurdles they've faced in their lives.

Guests who have appeared on the show since it launched in 2019 have included Mark Watson, Josie Long, Paul Sinha, George Ezra and Monty Panesar. A third series started yesterday with the Reverend Richard Coles.

Robins revealed the pair were working on the book in an interview with the British Comedy Guide, saying: ‘It will feature reflections on the conversations we've had.’

The pair previously wrote the 2018 book The Holy Vible: The Book The Bible Could Have Been, based on their previous show on Radio X.

According to publishers BBC Books, the new 352-page volume will see the pair ’share memorable stories, struggles and strategies around mental health, all to answer the question: How Do You Cope?’

It adds: ‘What does it mean to worry? How can we deal with loss? When adversity strikes, how do we cope? In their hit BBC podcast, Elis James and John Robins have delved deep into their own and others' personal experiences to explore a diverse range of mental health issues, from anxiety and grief to illness, identity and exclusion.

‘Drawing on these rich conversations, along with the help of team of mental health experts, How Do You Cope? is a unique exploration of how we overcome the everyday struggles, as well as the more significant challenges, in our lives.

‘Including expert advice and practical tips from psychologists and counsellors, How Do You Cope? is an inspiring journey through the front lines of mental health.’

Advanced orders are now being taken for the book at Amazon, priced £16.99.

Published: 2 Mar 2022