David Earl

Character comedian David Earl has popped up in Extras, Derek and Cemetery Junction, so it's no surprise that Ricky Gervais acts as executive producer on his 4Funnies pilot. Earl plays Brian Gittins - an oddball, gravel-voiced minicab driver - who means well but is a little creepy. This Gittins is a toned-down version of a character who's been a regular fixture on the live circuit (albeit as a café owner rather than cabbie) for Earl. We follow Gittins's car journeys: awkward flirting with colleague Cheryl over the taxi's radio, dating advice from his daughter and conversations with eccentric passengers. Earl's performance is subtle and generous to his supporting cast. The set-ups can be a little clumsy - 'Right Dad, I'm on Google,' his daughter says to establish one scene, before slowly reading out exactly what she's typing - and the half-hour's more likely to induce giggles rather than belly laughs. But it has its moments, with Seb Cardinal's cameo as an Irish passenger obsessed with the volume of dog mess abroad being a highlight: 'My whole memory of Holland was a country jam-packed with dogshit.'

Ben Williams, Time Out, 7th December 2012

Comedy's best kept secret: Vlogger Steve Cumberland

He's a very sad man, desperately trying to get laid via the medium of vlogging. Meet Steve Cumberland a hilarious comedy creation by comic David Earl.

Jac Bond, Sabotage Times, 30th May 2011

Twitter sex therapist exposed as comedian David Earl

Earnest yet explicit Twitter character Dr Peter Thraft, who prompted speculation he could be Steve Coogan, has been revealed as Ricky Gervais' friend David Earl, aka Brian Gittins.

Ben Dowell and Vicky Frost, The Guardian, 20th May 2011