The Black Dog: The life-affirming debut novel from one of Britain's most-loved comedians

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Comedian Kevin Bridges shares first glimpse of son and reveals baby's sweet name". MSN . Retrieved 20 December 2022. Declan has his pet Labrador for companionship and his best friend-turned-mentor, a pseudo-intellectual who works as a greenskeeper at the local municipal golf course, both of which help keep the worst of his anxieties at bay. But following a drunken row with local gangsters, his worries threaten to spiral out of control. I’ve never enjoyed a scene involving a running race quite as much as in this book! I genuinely cried with laughter.

Bridges' television career started on Comedy Central UK, in April 2008, with a set on The World Stands Up. Shortly thereafter, he appeared on Comedy Store (also on Comedy Central). His performances on these shows and on the comedy circuit and at festivals led to his being given his first mainstream TV break on 5 June 2009 on BBC One's Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow. Bridges was critically commended for his performance. Over 5 million viewers saw his debut and his entire 25-night run at the Edinburgh festival sold out in hours, with extra shows being subsequently added and also selling out. Bridges went on to be nominated for the 2009 Edinburgh Comedy Awards (formerly Perrier) in the best newcomer category. There’s been a lot about Kevin Bridges in the press at the moment, thanks to the release of this, his debut novel, and he has been very upfront in talking about his own struggles with poor mental health, so that perhaps gives you an indication that this book features mental health very heavily as the motivation behind much of what the main characters do. I love this book. Brilliantly drawn, believable characters of raw heart and honesty. Cannot recommend enough.' Matt Coyne

Kevin married Kerry Monaghan in 2019. In December of 2022, Bridges announced the birth of his first child, a son named Liam, born in May of that year. [30] Filmography [ edit ] List of acting performances in film and television

The plot is incited when Declan, keen to impress a barmaid he has his eye on, gets into a drunken row with some gangsters which, ultimately, ends with him in hospital. There, his path crosses Cavani’s, as the star is visiting his sister, who struggles with drug addiction. First appearing on the stage at the age of 15, Kevin had never seen a live stand-up performance before. His interest is said to have been stoked by Frank Skinner’s autobiography and a couple of Peter Kay DVDs. His comedy career started to take off a couple of years later, where he reached the finals of the So You Think You’re Funny? talent contest at the Edinburgh Fringe. He has ascended the ranks and is now regarded as one of the UK’s top comedians. At face value, their lives couldn't be more different, but perhaps fate has a way of bringing kindred spirits together - and perhaps each holds the other's redemption in their hands. Meanwhile, Declan's idol, James Cavani, is his home town's claim to fame - a renowned writer, director and actor, But he finds himself returning to a world he thought he had escaped when his younger sister battles with drug addiction. With a talent described by The Scotsman as ‘frightening,’ Kevin Bridges has a natural warmth, timing and easy manner which belies his youth and has seen him become one of the country’s top stand-ups.

This book is funny, heartwarming, touching, moving, smart and just brilliant in both terms of the plot and characters. I am still laughing at the ending, a true laugh out loud read. Bridges began performing on stage when he left school shortly after turning 17, doing stand-up comedy gigs at The Stand Comedy Club in Glasgow and then throughout the UK. Bridges said he was inspired to try stand up after reading Frank Skinner's autobiography. At 18, he reached the final of Channel 5's So You Think You're Funny competition at the Edinburgh Fringe. [1] In 2006, Bridges performed his first full-length solo show at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival, to a sold-out audience and much critical acclaim. Moving into bigger venues every year, Bridges sold out his hometown festival in 2007, 2008 and 2009. [2] He performed at the 2008 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. BBC One – Would I Lie to You?, Series 5, Episode 2". BBC. 5 April 2013 . Retrieved 6 December 2015.