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{{short description|English comedian and presenter}}
{{for-multi|the ice hockey player|Dave Gorman (ice hockey)|the American jockey|Dave Gorman (jockey)}}
{{Redirect|David Gorman|the English cricketer|David Gorman (cricketer)}}
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{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox person
| name          = Dave Gorman
| image         = File:Dave Gorman (2516168464).jpg
| caption       = Gorman in 2008
| image_size    = 
| birth_name    = David James Gorman
| birth_date    = {{Birth date and age|1971|3|2|df=y}}
| birth_place   = [[Stafford]], England
| website       = {{URL|http://davegorman.com}}
| spouse        = {{marriage|Beth Gorman<br />|2010}}
| children      = 1
| years_active  = 1993–present
| occupation    = {{hlist|Comedian|presenter|writer}}
}}

'''David James Gorman''' (born 2 March 1971) is an English comedian, presenter, and writer.

Gorman began his career writing for comedy series such as ''[[The Mrs Merton Show]]'' (1993–1998) and ''[[The Fast Show]]'' (1994–1997), and later garnered acclaim for his stand-up shows, one of which earned him a nomination for a [[Perrier Award]]. He became widely known for his ''[[Are You Dave Gorman?]]'' stage show, which he debuted at the 2000 [[Edinburgh Fringe Festival]], while its television adaptation was broadcast as ''The Dave Gorman Collection'' in 2001.

Gorman followed ''Are You Dave Gorman?'' with several other stand-up shows or comedic concepts that were turned into television series, including ''[[Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure]]'' (2003–2005), ''[[Genius (British TV series)|Genius]]'' (2009–2010), and ''[[Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish]]'' (2013–2017, 2025). He has also been a guest on other shows such as ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'', ''[[Taskmaster (TV series)|Taskmaster]]'', ''[[Go 8 Bit]]'', ''[[They Think It's All Over (TV series)|They Think It's All Over]]'', and ''[[QI]]''.

==Early life==
David James Gorman was born in [[Stafford]] on 2 March 1971.<ref name=DGGA>''Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure''</ref> He has a twin brother named Nicholas.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.staffordshirebmd.org.uk/ |title=Staffordshire Births Marriages & Deaths Indexes |access-date=30 October 2019 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127151329/http://www.staffordshirebmd.org.uk/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He attended [[Walton High School, Stafford|Walton High School]] in Stafford,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/whats-on/tv/why-dave-gorman-is-getting-sick-of-his-name-239394|title = Why Dave Gorman is getting sick of his name|date = 4 April 2009}}</ref> and later studied mathematics at the [[University of Manchester]], but dropped out after two years.<ref name="university">{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A877890 |title=BBC – h2g2 – 'Are You Dave Gorman?' – by Dave Gorman and Danny Wallace – the Book |publisher=BBC |access-date=18 September 2006 |archive-date=21 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070921033902/http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A877890 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/dave-gorman-games-for-a-laugh-2291902.html|title=Dave Gorman: Games for a laugh|work=The Independent|access-date=29 March 2015|archive-date=28 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028131045/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/features/dave-gorman-games-for-a-laugh-2291902.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Career==
===Early work===
Before his solo successes, he was in demand as a writer, having co-written three series of ''[[The Mrs Merton Show]]'', as well as writing for other television series in the UK, including ''[[The Fast Show]]''. In 2003, he was listed in ''[[The Observer]]'' as one of the 50 funniest acts in [[British comedy]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2003/dec/07/comedy.thebestofbritishcomedy1|title=The A-Z of laughter (part one)|publisher=The Observer|date=7 December 2003|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=19 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419025453/http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2003/dec/07/comedy.thebestofbritishcomedy1|url-status=live}}</ref> As a producer, Gorman contributed to two series featuring [[Jenny Eclair]]. He has also written for comedians [[Harry Hill]] and [[Steve Coogan]].

Gorman's first one-man "documentary style" show was titled ''Reasons to be Cheerful''. Billed as "a ninety-minute show based on a four-minute pop song", it was based on the song "[[Reasons to be Cheerful, Part 3]]" by [[Ian Dury and the Blockheads]]. The show examined the song's lyrics in detail, with a view to establishing whether or not each of the items listed in the song was really a reason to be cheerful. The visual aspect of the show was provided by each "reason" being illustrated by one of a collection of second-hand slides that he had accumulated for the show. The show was first performed at the [[1998 Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] and toured theatres afterwards.

His second full-length show, ''Dave Gorman's Better World'', was first performed in Edinburgh in 1999.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.davegorman.com/projects_better_world.html|title=Dave Gorman: Better World|work=davegorman.com|access-date=29 March 2015|archive-date=10 March 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310024343/http://www.davegorman.com/projects_better_world.html|url-status=live}}</ref> For the show he wrote anonymous letters to thousands of local newspapers and asked the public to suggest ways in which one man could make the world a better place. He then attempted to carry out their suggestions in order to determine their efficacy.

===''Are You Dave Gorman?''===
{{Main|Are You Dave Gorman?}}

Gorman shot to fame following a drunken bet with his flatmate [[Danny Wallace (humorist)|Danny Wallace]] which became the backdrop to a book written by Gorman, and a play written by Wallace. The bet was thus: Gorman claimed he shared the name Dave Gorman with the assistant manager of [[East Fife F.C.]] and that there must be "loads" of others around.<ref name=TDS1>{{cite web|url=http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/xipl79/dave-gorman|title=Dave Gorman – The Daily Show|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=11 December 2001|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=19 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419044052/http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/xipl79/dave-gorman|url-status=dead}}</ref> Wallace disagreed with him, so the two travelled to [[Methil]] (about {{convert|450|mi}} from London), with a [[Instant camera|Polaroid]] camera, to meet the assistant manager, whose name was indeed Dave Gorman. The bet soon evolved into a monster as, on the way to meet Dave Gormans numbers 4 and 5, Wallace decided Gorman must meet one for every card in the deck (including the jokers).

His quest to meet this target is described, with highlights including: five people changing their names by [[deed poll]] (two of whom were women); a trip to New York that resulted in failure when he discovered the man he had gone to meet was not Dave Gorman, but B. David Gorman and therefore was ineligible; and the American journey included a meeting with an actor who had played a character called David Gorman, the validity of which is hotly contested in the book.

===''Dave Gorman's Important Astrology Experiment''===
{{main|Dave Gorman's Important Astrology Experiment}}
Gorman's second television series, broadcast on [[BBC Two]] in September 2002, was titled ''Dave Gorman's Important Astrology Experiment'' and was based upon the idea of a controlled [[Experiment|scientific experiment]], although naturally not a serious one. The series had six episodes.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dave Gorman's Important Astrology Experiment|url=http://www.davegorman.com/projects_astrology_experiment.html|website=davegorman.com|access-date=13 December 2016|archive-date=14 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161214001347/http://www.davegorman.com/projects_astrology_experiment.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The premise was that it would test whether or not [[astrology]] really worked. Over the course of 40 days, he would try to follow any instructions given to people with his [[Astrological sign|star sign]] in a selection of [[horoscope]]s, while his "control experiment" (his [[fraternal twin]] brother, Nick) ignored them. Each would record the events of each day, and how they fared in each of three areas of life: love, health and wealth. On each episode of the show, Gorman would show footage of the amusing situations he got into by trying to follow his horoscope, and then asked a panel of "experts", agony aunt [[Denise Robertson (presenter)|Denise Robertson]] (love), [[GMTV]]'s [[Hilary Jones (doctor)|Hilary Jones]] (health) and financial expert [[Alvin Hall]] (wealth), in the studio to assess how he had fared in the three areas. Following an audience vote, Gorman would display on a "happiness graph" the difference between how he and his twin brother had fared that week, and whether it showed that astrology had produced a positive effect, a negative effect, or no significant effect at all.

The results of the "experiment" showed that his overall happiness, love, and wealth steadily began to recede over time (especially wealth as he was forced to travel excessively). Throughout the experiment, he had numerous adventures, including travelling to [[New York City]] to meet a long lost friend and then leaving a few hours later because he was ordered to spend as much time at home as possible, sharing pizza in a park while dressed in a rubber suit, and reading an illegally acquired [[pornographic magazine]] at Sunday lunch in front of his mother.

The most notable stunt he had to perform, from episode 2, was standing in [[Covent Garden]] on one leg with his foot in a bucket of water, a tangerine in one hand and some breakfast cereal in the other (in a bowl that cost £85 from [[Harrods]]), singing the national anthem backwards and balancing three books on his head. This was taken entirely literally from a very odd horoscope by [[Jonathan Cainer]], which Gorman deemed so implausible that he did in fact present the copy of the newspaper which published it in the studio, while noting his suspicion that perhaps the author of the horoscope found out about his experiment and was pulling a prank on him.

Gorman showed that his wealth was rapidly declining, as were happiness and love, until, on the last day, he invested the last of his money to travel to [[Dubai]] to watch a golf tournament (the ''[[Dubai Desert Classic]]'') and bet on [[Ian Woosnam]], a golfer that shared his birthday (and would therefore share his luck). He emptied his account to travel there and, using his [[lucky number]] of the day from each of the 40 days of his experiment to determine how much he should bet, went ahead with the plan. However, he then found out that not only was gambling illegal in the country, but also that his lucky number indicated he should bet 2,903 [[United Arab Emirates dirham|Dirhams]], which at the time was £549. Ultimately, he borrowed the money from his mother and asked her to bet the sum on Ian Woosnam to win the match of the day, as he had been instructed by his horoscope.

With his happiness at an all-time low, love scraping the bottom, and his finances in an extremely negative position, the experts, his mother, Wallace, the crowd and Gorman himself could only hope the bet would pay off – which it ultimately did at odds long enough to place him not only back at level wealth, but supplying him with twice as much cash as he had started off with. Therefore, he "proved" that astrology works and has made him happier than the control.

===''Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure''===
[[File:Dave Gorman.JPG|thumb|Gorman at a signing event for his ''Googlewhack Adventure'' book, in 2005]]
{{main|Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure}}
In 2003, Gorman toured Britain with a show titled ''Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure'', and published a book of the same name. It is another true story.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/sep/13/dave-gorman-googlewhack-adventure-comedy-gold|title=Comedy gold – Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure|author=Bruce Dessau|work=The Guardian|date=13 September 2013 |access-date=29 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402091616/http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2013/sep/13/dave-gorman-googlewhack-adventure-comedy-gold|url-status=live}}</ref> As a result, he believes people took him more seriously and a new novel was commissioned. While trying to write a novel for his publisher, [[Random House]], Gorman became obsessed with [[Googlewhack]]s when someone notified him that his site had one (Francophile Namesakes), and caused him to travel across the world finding people who had authored them (one of whom turned out to be one of the Dave Gormans he had met in his first adventure). He eventually spent his publisher's advance on the quest, without writing any of the promised novel, and had to create the ''Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure'' show to pay them back.

This show was premiered at the [[Melbourne International Comedy Festival]] and then went on to sell out for a two-week run at the [[Sydney Opera House]]'s Studio Theatre. It also sold out at the George Square Theatre as part of the [[2003 Edinburgh Festival Fringe]] before embarking on a major UK tour of 75 shows in the space of three months. It won Gorman the award for Best One Person Show at the [[HBO]] [[U.S. Comedy Arts Festival]] in [[Aspen, Colorado]], an award he had previously won for the show ''Are You Dave Gorman?'' He ended up writing a book about his Googlewhack Adventure which went on to be the ''[[The Sunday Times (UK)|Sunday Times]]'' number one best seller. During his Googlewhack adventure, Gorman had a [[nervous breakdown]], which he discusses frankly in the show.

In 2004, a DVD of the ''Googlewhack Adventure'' was released which was filmed at [[Swansea Grand Theatre]]. In 2005, Gorman toured the U.S. and performed his ''Googlewhack'' show in several cities. While in Los Angeles, he appeared on ''[[The Tonight Show]]'', elaborating on his travels and his quest. This tour, in which he stayed at chain motels and experienced corporate America, led him to undertake a road-trip across the U.S. in which he avoided such hotels and corporate petrol stations in favour of family-owned businesses. The road trip was documented as the book and film ''America Unchained''.

===''Dave Gorman versus the Rest of the World''===
In 2011, Gorman published a book about his adventures in various British towns, during a period of his life when he challenged people to invite him to game-playing sessions. The book explains games of [[Bluke]], [[Khet (game)|Khet]], [[Kubb]], Smite, [[Settlers of Catan]], Monopoly, Poker and others.<ref>"Dave Gorman vs. The Rest of the World" [Ebury Press, England, 2011]</ref>

===''Genius''===
====Radio series====
{{Main|Genius (Radio series)}}
He hosted a [[BBC Radio 4]] show called ''[[Genius (Radio series)|Genius]]'', in which members of the public submitted suggestions to make a better world. Gorman and a guest then assess the idea in order to determine whether it qualifies as "genius". One series of five episodes was broadcast between 27 October and 24 November 2005, with a CD of the first series released on 27 November 2006. The second series was broadcast between 7 September and 12 October 2006, with a CD released on 7 January 2008 and a third series between 1 October and 5 November 2007. He has made many references to disliking [[Darren Day]] in various episodes of the show.

====TV series====
{{Main|Genius (UK TV series)}}
A pilot for a television version of ''Genius'' was recorded on 23 November 2007,<ref name="TV">{{cite web|last=Wolf|first=Ian|url=http://www.sitcom.co.uk/news/news.php?story=000279|title=A Genius TV programme|publisher=British Sitcom Guide|date=19 September 2007|access-date=20 September 2007|archive-date=27 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127151331/https://www.comedy.co.uk/news/old_story/000279/|url-status=live}}</ref> and a series was commissioned in the spring of 2008. The series was created by Ali Crockatt and David Scott, and is produced by Simon Nicholls.

The six-part series started on Friday 20 March, 10pm on [[BBC2]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.davegorman.com/projects_genius.html|title=Dave Gorman: Genius|work=davegorman.com|access-date=29 March 2015|archive-date=15 April 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110415191736/http://www.davegorman.com/projects_genius.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A second series for 2010 was commissioned by the BBC.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/genius/|title=BBC Radio 4 Extra – Genius|work=BBC|access-date=29 March 2015|archive-date=27 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727232614/http://www.bbc.co.uk/genius/|url-status=live}}</ref> The show broadcast its first episode on Monday 27 September 2010 at 10pm on BBC Two.

===''The Daily Show with Jon Stewart''===
On 24 April 2006, Gorman made his first appearance as a reporter (he had previously appeared as a guest on 11 December 2001 promoting ''[[Are You Dave Gorman?]]''),<ref name=TDS1/> in which he was credited as the show's senior new correspondent.<ref name=TDS2>{{cite web|url=http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/r11rm8/gorman---royal-treatment|title=Gorman – Royal Treatment|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=24 April 2006|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=19 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014243/http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/r11rm8/gorman---royal-treatment|url-status=dead}}</ref> On 27 April, he debuted as the host of the show's satirical statistical analysis piece called "Poll Smoking with Dave Gorman".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/vv9h7b/poll-smoking---president-s-approval-rating|title=Poll Smoking – President's Approval Rating|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=27 April 2006|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=19 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014840/http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/vv9h7b/poll-smoking---president-s-approval-rating|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was the first ''Daily Show'' correspondent to have been born in England, and the third ''Daily Show'' correspondent to have been born outside of the United States. His most recent appearance on the show was on 5 October 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/1j4pus/poll-smoking---american-education|title=Poll Smoking – American Education|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=5 October 2006|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=19 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014843/http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/1j4pus/poll-smoking---american-education|url-status=dead}}</ref> He has also appeared co-hosting a segment called "ConTROVersy" with the Daily Show's other English correspondent, [[John Oliver (comedian)|John Oliver]], in which the pair calmly and genteelly discussed former UK Prime Minister [[Tony Blair]] over tea, parodying American stereotypes of Britons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/le018d/controversy---tony-blair|title=ConTROVersy – Tony Blair|publisher=[[Comedy Central]]|date=21 September 2006|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=19 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014354/http://thedailyshow.cc.com/videos/le018d/controversy---tony-blair|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===''America Unchained''===
Between 22 October and 5 December 2006, Gorman undertook a coast-to-coast road trip through 17 states from the west coast to east coast of the United States. A book about the trip, titled ''America Unchained: A Freewheeling Roadtrip in Search of Non-Corporate USA'', was released on 3 April 2008. The rationale for the trip was to discover whether it is possible to travel across the United States without ever patronising any corporate or chain-style businesses ("[[The Man]]").<ref name="denofgeek.com">{{Cite web | url=http://www.denofgeek.com/dvd-bluray/7508/dave-gormans-america-unchained-dvd-review | title=Dave Gorman's America Unchained DVD review | work=Den of Geek | date=28 January 2008 | access-date=1 September 2018 | archive-date=1 September 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901145733/http://www.denofgeek.com/dvd-bluray/7508/dave-gormans-america-unchained-dvd-review | url-status=live }}</ref> Gorman ate, slept, and filled his car in restaurants, hotels, and petrol stations which were all independently owned.

America Unchained also is the name of an annual campaign spearheaded by the [[American Independent Business Alliance]] since 2004 to promote the economic, cultural, and democratic importance of independent locally owned businesses. A documentary film of the adventure was also made and was aired on the British TV channel [[More4]] on 5 February 2008 and released on DVD<ref name="denofgeek.com"/> on 11 February. In 2007, it won the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the [[Austin Film Festival]].

Gorman's journey started in [[Coronado, California]], and ended in [[Savannah, Georgia]], and he was continually challenged to find independently owned gas stations, as well as repairing the car itself – which broke down surprisingly little, considering the age and mileage (124,000 at start).{{citation needed|date=July 2022}}

===Absolute Radio===
Gorman was a regular guest on ''[[The Geoff Show]]'', having been on a guest on the show three times (and also entering a phone-in competition whilst undertaking the ''Important Astrology Experiment''), while he also had weekly interviews on ''[[Geoff Lloyd's Hometime Show]]'' to discuss his bikeathon during his ''Sit Down, Pedal, Pedal, Stop and Stand Up Tour''. He filled in for weekend presenter [[Frank Skinner]] for three weeks during the summer of 2009. The station subsequently announced that he would have a full-time show; his first show aired on 11 October,<ref>{{cite web|title=Gorman joins Absolute Radio|url=http://radiotoday.co.uk/2009/09/gorman-joins-absolute-radio/|website=[[Radio Today (website)|Radio Today]]|access-date=2 April 2017|date=5 August 2012|archive-date=3 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403013741/http://radiotoday.co.uk/2009/09/gorman-joins-absolute-radio/|url-status=live}}</ref> with Gorman joined by [[Danielle Ward]] and [[Martin White (comedian)|Martin White]]. White left the show in April 2012, to be replaced by [[Michael Legge (comedian)|Michael Legge]]. The show ended on 18 November 2012.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stephenson |first=John-Paul |url=http://www.gigglebeats.co.uk/2012/11/opinion-a-tribute-to-the-dave-gorman-show/ |title=A tribute to The Dave Gorman Show |work=Giggle Beats |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=19 November 2012 |archive-date=24 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131224113442/http://www.gigglebeats.co.uk/2012/11/opinion-a-tribute-to-the-dave-gorman-show/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Stand-up===
Gorman performed numerous times as a stand up earlier in his career. On 30 August 2009, he began a 32-date tour called ''Sit Down, Pedal, Pedal, Stop and Stand Up''. The tour saw him covering the extremes of the British mainland as he cycled from Britain's southernmost point to its northernmost tip, taking in the most easterly and westerly points along the way and performing each night of the journey.

In 2010, Gorman performed a 37-date tour as an extension of his 2009 ''Sit Down, Pedal, Pedal, Stop and Stand Up Tour''. About this show he said, "I won't be cycling to these. Same show, fewer blisters." On 12 July 2010, he performed the show again – twice in one evening – at the [[Bloomsbury Theatre]] in London, which was recorded for a DVD release (''Dave Gorman Stand-Up. Live.''). Before the recording, Gorman performed the act again as ''The Warm Up Show'' at four small venues in the UK in order to freshen his memory.

===''Modern Life Is Goodish''===
{{main|Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish}}
In September 2013, Gorman returned to television with a new show, ''[[Dave Gorman: Modern Life Is Goodish|Modern Life Is Goodish]]'', on the Dave channel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a469935/dave-gorman-lands-new-dave-tv-show-modern-life-is-goodish.html#~oBHW7b3HQlRZ9Z|title=Dave Gorman lands new Dave TV show 'Modern Life Is Goodish'|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|date=3 April 2013|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105144357/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a469935/dave-gorman-lands-new-dave-tv-show-modern-life-is-goodish.html#~oBHW7b3HQlRZ9Z|url-status=live}}</ref> In January 2014, the show was renewed for two additional series to follow the initial three.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a469935/dave-gorman-lands-new-dave-tv-show-modern-life-is-goodish.html#~oBHIo5iSa7saCe|title=Dave Gorman's Modern Life Is Goodish gets two more series from Dave|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|date=27 January 2014|access-date=17 April 2014|archive-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105144357/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/news/a469935/dave-gorman-lands-new-dave-tv-show-modern-life-is-goodish.html#~oBHIo5iSa7saCe|url-status=live}}</ref> The fourth series commenced in November 2016. The fifth series ran from 31 October to 20 December 2017, after which Gorman confirmed that it was the final series.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Bley Griffiths|first1=Eleanor|title=Dave Gorman confirms the end of Modern Life Is Goodish|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2017-12-20/dave-gorman-confirms-the-end-of-modern-life-is-goodish/|website=Radio Times|access-date=21 December 2017|archive-date=20 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171220235119/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2017-12-20/dave-gorman-confirms-the-end-of-modern-life-is-goodish/|url-status=live}}</ref> At its peak, the series attracted 1.5 million viewers.<ref name="chortle.co.uk">{{Cite web |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2019/06/10/43275/exclusive%3A_dave_gorman_is_returning_to_dave |title=Chortle – Exclusive: Dave Gorman is Returning to Dave |access-date=11 June 2019 |archive-date=10 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610214026/https://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2019/06/10/43275/exclusive:_dave_gorman_is_returning_to_dave |url-status=live }}</ref>  On 1 February 2025, Gorman announced that there would be a sixth series releasing on 24 February 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gorman |first=Dave |date=1 February 2025 |title=Modern Life is Goodish |url=https://bsky.app/profile/davegorman.bsky.social/post/3lh4m5r3b522j |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Blue Sky}}</ref> Unlike prior series it will consist of three episodes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gorman |first=Dave |date=2025-02-03 |title=When is Modern Life Is Goodish coming back? |url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/other-news/2025/02/03/57425/when_is_modern_life_is_goodish_coming_back |access-date=2025-02-09 |website=Chortle}}</ref>

===''With Great PowerPoint Comes Great {{notatypo|ResponsibilityPoint}}''===
On 13 November 2017, towards the end of the run of ''Modern Life Is Goodish'',  Gorman announced a new stage show to conclude the series called ''With Great PowerPoint Comes Great {{notatypo|ResponsibilityPoint}}''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gormano.blogspot.com/2017/11/new-tour-with-great-powerpoint-comes.html|title=Dave Gorman: NEW TOUR: With Great Powerpoint Comes Great Responsibilitypoint|last=Gorman|first=Dave|date=13 November 2017|website=Dave Gorman|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115153909/http://gormano.blogspot.com/2017/11/new-tour-with-great-powerpoint-comes.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The show had an initial run from 6 September to 25 November 2018. Since then, Gorman has announced 19 more tour dates for January–February 2019 due to the number of tickets sold.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://gormano.blogspot.com/2018/01/extra-extra.html|title=Dave Gorman: Extra Extra|last=Gorman|first=Dave|date=31 January 2018|website=Dave Gorman|access-date=15 November 2018|archive-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115153741/http://gormano.blogspot.com/2018/01/extra-extra.html|url-status=live}}</ref> While Gorman has wished for the contents of the show to remain unspoiled for people going into the show, he has requested that people talk about the Giraffe joke, which Gorman has cited as being the best giraffe joke in the world.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.societyaberdeen.co.uk/top-stories/dave-gorman-is-out-of-his-shed-and-happy-to-stick-his-neck-out/|title=Dave Gorman is out of his shed and happy to stick his neck out – Society|date=6 September 2018|work=Society|access-date=15 November 2018|language=en-GB|archive-date=15 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115153841/https://www.societyaberdeen.co.uk/top-stories/dave-gorman-is-out-of-his-shed-and-happy-to-stick-his-neck-out/|url-status=live}}</ref> Because of the popularity of the show, after a short break during the filming of ''Terms and Conditions Apply'', Gorman continued to tour until November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.stereoboard.com/dave-gorman-tickets|title=Dave Gorman Tour Dates & Tickets|website=Stereoboard.com|language=en|access-date=21 November 2019|archive-date=21 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121214320/https://www.stereoboard.com/dave-gorman-tickets|url-status=live}}</ref>

===''Terms and Conditions Apply''===
In June 2019, it was announced on [[Chortle]] that Gorman would be hosting a new TV series on [[Dave (TV channel)|Dave]] called ''Terms and Conditions Apply'', with eight one-hour long episodes. The format is similar to that of ''Modern Life Is Goodish'', but Gorman was joined by guest stars on each episode, competing in various games based on the subjects presented.<ref name="chortle.co.uk"/> Filming for the first series took place from 2 July to 29 August 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tvrecordings.com/show/dave-gorman-terms-and-conditions-apply/|title=Dave Gorman: Terms and Conditions Apply – TVrecordings|language=en-US|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829132121/https://tvrecordings.com/show/dave-gorman-terms-and-conditions-apply/|url-status=live}}</ref> It began airing on Dave in October 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ukairdates.com/tv-show/dave-gorman-terms-and-conditions-apply/|title=Dave Gorman: Terms and Conditions Apply TV Show Premiere Date for the UK|website=UK Air Dates|language=en-GB|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=29 August 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190829132120/https://www.ukairdates.com/tv-show/dave-gorman-terms-and-conditions-apply/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===''PowerPoint to the People''===
On 30 April 2022, Dave Gorman announced another live stage show tour called ''PowerPoint to the People'' for autumn 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://avalonuk.com/2022/03/30/powerpoint-to-the-people-dave-gorman-to-tour-this-autumn/|title=Powerpoint to the People – Dave Gorman to tour this autumn|access-date=16 September 2022|website=Avalon|date=30 March 2022 }}</ref> It originally ran from 10 September to 11 November 2022.

Extra dates were then added, running from 16 March 2023 until 17 June 2023.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://davegorman.com/live/|title=BRAND NEW TOUR ON-SALE NOW|access-date=16 September 2022|website=Dave Gorman}}</ref> The tour was extended again up to 13 December 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=LIVE |url=https://davegorman.com/live/ |access-date=2023-11-25 |website=Dave Gorman |language=en-GB}}</ref>

===Other appearances===
Gorman appeared in one episode of ''[[Absolutely Fabulous]]'' in 2001. He played the part of Rimmer, a photographer, in the fourth series third episode "[[List of Absolutely Fabulous episodes#Series 4: 2001-2002|Paris]]". He also appeared for two series as one of the team captains on the [[BBC Three (former)|BBC Three]] television show ''[[Rob Brydon's Annually Retentive]]''. The programme was a comedy about the making of a celebrity panel show hosted by [[Rob Brydon]], and ran from 2006 to 2007. In 2006, he also became an occasional contributor on [[Comedy Central]]'s ''[[The Daily Show with Jon Stewart]]''. He has listed among his ambitions a wish to become a captain on the quiz show ''[[Call My Bluff]]''.

Gorman appeared in two episodes of ''[[Have I Got News for You]]'', including the famous episode broadcast in the week that news broke of host [[Angus Deayton]]'s scandal involving prostitutes and the use of illegal drugs. He also appeared in an episode of the sports comedy quiz ''[[They Think It's All Over (TV series)|They Think It's All Over]]''. Gorman also appeared on, and won, episode nine of the [[QI (A series)|first series]] of ''[[QI]]'', in which the guests included [[Jo Brand]] and [[Jeremy Hardy]]. He appeared again in 2011 in the [[QI (I series)|ninth series]], winning again. He appeared as a guest on the [[Frank Skinner]] show ''Opinionated'' on 23 April 2010.

In 2009, Gorman appeared in [[Robert Llewellyn]]'s online programme ''Carpool'' which was broadcast on [[Dave (TV channel)|Dave]], and can be viewed at Llewellyn's YouTube channel, LlewTube. He presented [[Bravo (UK TV network)|Bravo TV]]'s first live [[Professional Darts Corporation|PDC]] darts coverage alongside [[James Richardson (television presenter)|James Richardson]] during the [[2010 European Championship Darts]]. Gorman appeared on the week-long special ''[[Grand Designs|Grand Designs Live]]'', in which he showcased eccentric houses in the United States in 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs-live/episode-guide|title=Grand Designs Live|work=Channel 4|access-date=29 March 2015|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402113649/http://www.channel4.com/programmes/grand-designs-live/episode-guide|url-status=live}}</ref>

Gorman was a regular alongside [[Geoff Lloyd]] on [[Virgin Radio (UK)|Virgin Radio]]'s ''[[The Geoff Show]]'', also appearing on the same presenter's ''[[Geoff Lloyd's Hometime Show|Hometime Show]]''. Following the rebranding of the station to [[Absolute Radio]], Gorman joined the station as a presenter himself. He has made many appearances on [[Five (TV channel)|Channel 5]]'s ''[[The Wright Stuff]]'', and has appeared on several episodes of Radio 4's ''[[Just a Minute]]''. Gorman was also the "Curator" for [[John Lloyd (producer)|John Lloyd]]'s [[BBC Radio 4]] series ''[[Museum of Curiosity]]'' in the fourth series, as well as standing in for [[Jon Richardson (entertainer)|Jon Richardson]] in one edition of the third series after the latter was [[Air travel disruption after the 2010 Eyjafjallajökull eruption|left stranded due to the volcanic eruption of Eyjafjallajökull]].

In October 2014, it was announced that Gorman would voice a character in the upcoming crowdfunded animated film ''Doug and the Meaning of Life''. However, as of 2019, the domain hosting the website has been shut down, and no further updates have been posted to the [[Kickstarter]] page of the project.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://douglegomovie.tk/|title=Doug and The Meaning of Life Home|work=douglegomovie.tk|access-date=29 March 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221015019/http://douglegomovie.tk/|archive-date=21 December 2014}}</ref> Only a small clip featuring Gorman's audition for his role seems to exist, via the official [[YouTube]] channel for the film.

Gorman has also provided voiceover for a television <!-- and radio? --> campaign by [[Homebase]], the UK [[DIY]] chain.

When [[Lee Mack]] appeared on a ''[[Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? (British game show)|Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?]]'' celebrity special on 3 January 2012, Gorman was the 'phone-a-' friend to whom Mack turned; he successfully identified ''[[Carte Blanche (novel)|Carte Blanche]]'' as a [[James Bond]] novel, doing so without needing to be told the four possible answers.

In 2020, Gorman began setting [[cryptic crossword]]s for three British newspapers, first for ''[[The Independent]]'' under the pseudonym "Bluth"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chortle.co.uk/punching-ups/2020/04/13/45867/comedian_becomes_a_crossword_compiler_(4,_6)|title=Comedian becomes a crossword compiler (4, 6)|publisher=Chortle|access-date=1 July 2020|archive-date=2 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702033518/https://www.chortle.co.uk/punching-ups/2020/04/13/45867/comedian_becomes_a_crossword_compiler_(4,_6)|url-status=live}}</ref> then for ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'' under the name "Django" and ''[[The Guardian]]'' under the name "Fed".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gorman |first1=Dave |title=Why I've swapped gigs for grids – meet Dave Gorman, our new crossword compiler |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/life/swapped-gigs-grids-meet-dave-gorman-new-crossword-compiler/ |website=The Telegraph |publisher=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=2 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127004257/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/family/life/swapped-gigs-grids-meet-dave-gorman-new-crossword-compiler/ |archive-date=27 November 2020 |date=27 November 2020}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Gorman and his wife, Beth, were married on 8 October 2010.<ref>{{cite episode|title=I Would Drink That Bath Water|series=Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish|series-link=Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish|network=Dave|date=7 October 2014|series-no=2|number=5|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5vtoADa3jU&t=395s|time=6:35|access-date=17 May 2022}}</ref> They live in [[Bournemouth]] and have a son, Eric.<ref name="GormanoEricBday">{{cite web|author1=Dave Gorman|title=The Best Two and a Half Days of My Life...|url=http://gormano.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/the-best-two-and-half-days-of-my-life.html|website=gormano.blogspot.co.uk|publisher=dave gorman|access-date=19 December 2016|date=5 October 2015|archive-date=22 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160222102256/http://gormano.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/the-best-two-and-half-days-of-my-life.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Spray Gravy |series=Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish|series-link=Dave Gorman: Modern Life is Goodish|network=Dave|date=13 December 2016|series-no=4|number=6}}</ref>

During his performance at the 2011 [[Edinburgh Fringe Festival]], Gorman referred to himself as an "[[Atheism|atheist]] from a [[Christianity|Christian]] background".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thecourier.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainment/arts/edinburgh-fringe-dave-gorman-s-powerpoint-presentation-1.46006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526111244/http://www.thecourier.co.uk/lifestyle/entertainment/arts/edinburgh-fringe-dave-gorman-s-powerpoint-presentation-1.46006|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 May 2015|title=Edinburgh Fringe: Dave Gorman's PowerPoint Presentation|work=thecourier.co.uk|access-date=26 May 2015|date=13 August 2011}}</ref> He has been mistakenly identified as [[Jews|Jewish]], which once led to his inclusion in the Jewish magazine ''JLifestyle''{{'s}} list of top "literary Jews" in 2008.<ref>[http://www.jlifestyle.co.uk/issue3/ 25 Literary Jews] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110909041212/http://www.jlifestyle.co.uk/issue3/ |date=9 September 2011 }} JLifestyle, Issue 3, April/May 2008.</ref> Gorman is a [[pescatarian]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dave.uktv.co.uk/dave-faces/dave-gorman/gallery/5-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-dave-gorman|title=5 Things You (Probably) Didn't Know About Dave Gorman|publisher=[[Dave (TV channel)|Dave]]|access-date=23 August 2018|archive-date=23 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180823210407/https://dave.uktv.co.uk/dave-faces/dave-gorman/gallery/5-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-dave-gorman/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Wikiquote}}
*{{official website|http://www.davegorman.com/}}
*{{IMDb name|331057}}
*{{British Comedy Guide|people|dave_gorman}}

{{Absolute Radio|state=autocollapse}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Gorman, Dave}}
[[Category:1971 births]]
[[Category:Comedians from Staffordshire]]
[[Category:Darts people]]
[[Category:English atheists]]
[[Category:English male comedians]]
[[Category:English satirists]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Stafford]]
[[Category:English twins]]
[[Category:20th-century English comedians]]
[[Category:21st-century English comedians]]
[[Category:Crossword creators]]