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Simon Bird

Simon Bird

Simon Bird started his comedy career with the Cambridge Footlights in 2004, as a writer of their touring show Beyond A Joke. He appered in 2005 show Under The Blue, Blue Moon and 2006's Niceties.

He took part in Chortle's national student comedy awards for four years in a row: 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008, coming second in his final attempt with a routine mocking his repeat entries.

He played the part of Will in E4’s comedy The Inbetweeners, alongside Joe Thomas, which won him the British Comedy Award for best newcomer in 2008, and became the biggest British comedy hit when it was turned into a movie.

The pair also had a sketch group, House Of Windsor, with Johhny Sweet, which span off into the TV series Cowards.

He landed a central role in the Channel 4 sitcom Friday Night Dinner in 2011, as one of two Jewish twentysomething brothers (alongside Tom Rosenthal) who revert to childhood roles at the weekly family meal. And he hosted the BBC Three panel game The King Is Dead.

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© Xavier Mas

Simon Bird to direct a wartime comedy

About a couple hiding a Jewish salesman from the Nazis

Simon Bird is to direct a comedy film about a couple who offer refuge to a Jewish perfume salesman during the Second World War.

Pretend I'm Not Here will star Matthew Broderick, Sally Hawkins and Martin Freeman and will be set in The Netherlands, under Nazi occupation.

It is based on the novella Comedy In A Minor Key written by Hans Keilson – an active member of the Dutch resistance – and first published soon after the war, in 1947.

The screenplay was written by Lisa Owens, Bird’s wife who also wrote his directorial film debut, 2020’s Days Of The Bagnold Summer.

The Friday Night Dinner star has also directed Such Brave Girls,  Ellie & Natasia, Pls Like and one episode of Amandaland for TV.

In a statement, executive producers Alison Thompson and Mark Gooder said: ‘Pretend I'm Not Here is a powerful story for our times that explores the nuances of human connection during times of crisis. 

‘With a stellar cast and Simon Bird's unique vision, we believe this funny and subversive gem will captivate audiences and spark important conversations.’

Production will begin later this year in the UK and the Netherlands.

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Published: 30 Apr 2025

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Products

DVD (2014)
The Inbetweeners 2

DVD (2014)
Friday Night Dinner Series 2

DVD (2011)
The Inbetweeners Movie

DVD (2011)
Friday Night Dinner

DVD (2010)
Inbetweeners Series 3

DVD (2009)
Inbetweeners Series 2

DVD (2008)
Inbetweeners Series 1

Past Shows

Edinburgh Fringe 2005

Cambridge Footlights: Under The Blue, Blue Moon


Edinburgh Fringe 2006

Cambridge Footlights: Niceties


Edinburgh Fringe 2007

House Of Windsor


Edinburgh Fringe 2008

Meeting


Film

Inbetweeners movie


Agent

We do not currently hold contact details for Simon Bird's agent. If you are a comic or agent wanting your details to appear here, for a one-off fee of £59, email steve@chortle.co.uk.

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