Comedian Darren Harriott is lacing up his skates for Dancing On Ice – but how much do you know about the star?
Darren has been a familiar face on our TV screens since 2016, taking part in a whole host of popular series including 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Mock The Week and Stand Up Central to name a few.
However, fans may also recognise him from a popular reality dating series too.
READ MORE: Dancing on Ice’s Vanessa Bauer hints at strict ITV ban in rare behind-the-scenes video
As he is set to take on his biggest challenge yet alongside pro partner Tippy Packard tonight, Daily Star has taken a closer look inside Darren Harriot’s life.
Award winner
(Image: BBC)
Dancing On Ice star Darren Harriott first appeared on our TV screens in 2016, when he rose to fame as a comedian through performances on Stand Up Central.
From there, it was onwards and upwards for the star, after he appeared on BBC’s Live At the Apollo in 2017 and at the Edinburgh Fringe, where he was honoured with the Best Newcomer Award.
(Image: BBC / Ricochet / Stuart Wood)
That’s not all, as he was also given the Best Show Award at The Edinburgh Fringe in 2019, and has since toured extensively across the UK with his comedy act.
Darren has since made appearances on Mock The Week, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, Celebrity Mastermind, Richard Osman’s House Of Games and travel show British As Folk.
He also most recently hosted BBC series Britain’s Top Takeaways with radio host Sara Cox.
Dad’s death
(Image: BBC/Open Mike/Ellis O’Brien)
Darren has spoken openly about his childhood, revealing during an interview with The Telegraph that his dad served time in prison when he was younger.
“My dad was always a mysterious figure,” said Darren.
“I would see him every now and again. And it was always a great time. I didn’t know that he was in and out of prison. Every time I’d see him, he’d be in a new car, have wads of cash… I had no idea that my dad was a criminal.”
However while Darren was still a teenager, his dad committed suicide while in prison, with the star saying: “It was devastating.
“I have only amazing memories of him. I know that he wasn’t exactly the greatest guy. I know that for sure. But my mum would never say that to us. He was a drug dealer.”
During an interview with The Daily Mail, Darren also revealed that his comedy career “saved him” from falling into a life of crime himself.
They reported that he walked away from being in a gang when he was a teenager – before going on to work as a bouncer at the Hammersmith Apollo where he would later headline as a comedian.
Speaking about his life before comedy, he said: “I was really depressed. I needed something to become obsessed with and take my mind off things and then I found comedy after going to an open mic night.
“I did my first gig at 18 and I still had that element of the ghetto kid, with a lot of anger. It’s like chasing that high, constantly trying to get that laugh and it helped me a lot.”
Secret Love Island stint
(Image: REX/Shutterstock)
Along with his appearances onstage and screen, Darren has become a regular panelist on Love Island spin-off Aftersun.
Darren could be seen alongside celebrity guests and previous Love Island host Laura Whitmore discussing all the action from the episodes, along with flying to the villa to film exclusive content for the series.
He proved so popular with viewers that he became a familiar face on the Aftersun sofa in 2022, where he sat alongside guests including Mabel, Tom Grennan and Jordan Banjo, to name a few.
Gruesome injuries
(Image: PA)
Darren is one of the many celebrities to be taking part in the 2023 series of Dancing On Ice, alongside stars including The Vivienne, Patsy Palmer and Love Island’s Ekin-Su.
However, the comedian revealed that he has already suffered a number of gruesome injuries while training for the programme – including having his arm sliced open by the blade of his partner Tippy Packard’s skates.
Speaking on Capital XTRA Breakfast, the star said: “My biggest fear, I don’t really have it anymore, all my fears are now sort of gone, because I’ve fallen on the ice countless times, I’ve got whiplash, yesterday I sliced my arm open with my partners blade, they had to glue my forearm together.
“What other fears are there! Maybe I fall through the ice? That’s all that’s left. Whiplash, there’s a bit of bone sticking out here.”
Love life
(Image: WireImage)
Away from the limelight, Darren tends to keep his personal life private, and it is not known whether the star is single or in a relationship.
OK! Magazine reported that the star did previously mention his girlfriend during an appearance on Richard Osman’s House Of Games in 2021.
However, it is not known whether the couple are still in a relationship or not.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
