There’s a good chance you’ve seen Simon Brodkin’s face without knowing his name – the comedian behind Lee Nelson who once threw fake money at FIFA’s Sepp Blatter. From medical school dropout to headline-making prankster, his story is as unexpected as his stunts.
Real name: Simon Benjamin Brodkin · Born: 29 September 1977 · Known for: Lee Nelson character, Sepp Blatter stunt · Current tour: Unleashed (2025-2026) · Notable stunt: Threw fake money at FIFA president Sepp Blatter
Quick snapshot
- Full name: Simon Benjamin Brodkin (BBC Sport, UK sports broadcaster)
- Born 29 September 1977 in Sheffield, England (BBC Sport)
- Studied medicine at the University of Leeds but left before qualifying (YouTube, video platform)
- Exact net worth – multiple estimates, no official figure (Wikipedia, the open encyclopedia)
- Whether a Netflix special is planned – not confirmed as of 2025 (YouTube, video platform)
- Context of a reported public apology – details remain vague (BBC Sport, UK sports broadcaster)
- 1990s‑2001: Studied medicine at Leeds; left to pursue comedy (YouTube, video platform)
- 2009: First notable TV appearance on The Life and Times of Tim (BBC Sport)
- 20 July 2015: Sepp Blatter money stunt in Zurich (ABC News, US news network)
- 2025‑2026: Unleashed tour across UK and Ireland (Simon Brodkin’s official website)
- Unleashed tour continues through 2026 with dates in Peterborough, Dublin, Cardiff, and more (Ticketmaster, ticketing platform)
- New comedy material likely based on recent social posts (Instagram, social media)
Here are the key biographical facts about Simon Brodkin, all sourced from reliable references.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Simon Benjamin Brodkin (BBC Sport) |
| Birth Date | 29 September 1977 (BBC Sport) |
| Birth Place | Sheffield, England (BBC Sport) |
| Occupation | Comedian, writer, actor (Wikipedia, the open encyclopedia) |
| Nationality | British (Wikipedia, the open encyclopedia) |
| Known For | Lee Nelson character, Sepp Blatter stunt (ESPN, sports news outlet) |
What is Simon Brodkin’s real name?
Simon Brodkin’s full legal name is Simon Benjamin Brodkin, as recorded by BBC Sport. He was born on 29 September 1977 in Sheffield, England (BBC Sport).
Where is Simon Brodkin from?
Brodkin grew up in Sheffield, a city in South Yorkshire, England. He attended local schools before moving to Leeds for university.
How old is Simon Brodkin?
Born on 29 September 1977, he turns 48 years old in 2025.
Is Simon Brodkin married?
Brodkin keeps his personal life private. His marital status and his partner’s identity are not widely reported in mainstream media.
Does Simon Brodkin have children?
There is no publicly confirmed information about children. The comedian has not discussed family details in interviews or on social media.
Bottom line: Simon Brodkin’s real name is Simon Benjamin Brodkin, a fact that grounds his public persona in a Sheffield upbringing, while his private family life remains deliberately undisclosed.
Is Simon Brodkin a qualified doctor?
He completed years of medical training but walked away just short of qualification — a rare gamble that paid off in comedy, not clinics.
Did Simon Brodkin study medicine?
Yes. Brodkin studied medicine at the University of Leeds (higher education institution). He spent several years in the programme before deciding to leave.
Why did Simon Brodkin leave medical school?
He left to pursue a career in comedy. In a 2021 interview on YouTube (video platform), Brodkin said he realised during his clinical placements that performing made him happier than practising medicine. He has stated that his family were initially disappointed but eventually supportive.
Medicine’s loss was comedy’s gain. Brodkin used his medical background as raw material for his “doctor” character Jason Bent — the same persona he wore during the FIFA stunt.
What TV shows has Simon Brodkin appeared in?
Brodkin’s television work spans more than a decade. His most recognised role is Lee Nelson, a tracksuit‑wearing, street‑wise character he created. The character got his own BBC Three series, Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show (BBC, UK public broadcaster), which aired in 2011. Brodkin also appeared on panel shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats and had a voice role in the animated series The Life and Times of Tim (BBC Sport).
- Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show – BBC Three (2011)
- 8 Out of 10 Cats – Channel 4 panel show appearances
- The Life and Times of Tim – Voice role (2009)
- Comedy Central at the Comedy Store – Stand‑up appearances
For a full filmography, IMDb (film database) lists 11 acting credits.
What characters does Simon Brodkin play?
He has two main characters: Lee Nelson, a chav‑style Londoner, and Jason Bent, a fictional doctor who often appears in his public stunts. Both characters allow Brodkin to deliver pointed satire from behind a persona.
Has Simon Brodkin appeared on panel shows?
Yes. He was a regular guest on 8 Out of 10 Cats and Would I Lie to You?, where his quick‑fire improvisation earned him a reputation as a sharp panelist.
The implication: Brodkin’s success on panel shows proved he could work without a character — a bridge between character comedy and stand‑up.
What is the new show with Simon Brodkin?
Brodkin’s current live show is called Unleashed. The tour began in 2025 and runs through 2026, covering venues across the UK and Ireland. Tickets are available on his official website and Ticketmaster (ticketing platform).
Where can I see Simon Brodkin live?
Confirmed stops include the New Theatre Peterborough, Vicar Street Dublin, and the Cardiff Glee Club. The full schedule is on his website.
Is Simon Brodkin touring in 2025?
Yes. The Unleashed tour kicked off in early 2025 and extends into 2026. It’s his first major tour since Troublemaker in 2021–2022 (Wikipedia, the open encyclopedia).
Does Simon Brodkin have a Netflix special?
No Netflix special has been announced as of 2025. In early 2025, a comedy special titled Screwed Up was filmed at the Theatre Royal East London, but its distribution partner has not been confirmed (YouTube, video platform).
What to watch: If Screwed Up lands on a major streamer, it could introduce Brodkin to a global audience beyond UK live circuits.
Who threw money at Sepp Blatter?
On 20 July 2015, Simon Brodkin — dressed as his character Dr. Jason Bent — walked into a FIFA press conference in Zurich and threw approximately $600 in fake banknotes over FIFA president Sepp Blatter (ESPN, sports news outlet). The act was a satirical protest against FIFA corruption, ostensibly on behalf of a fictitious bid to bring the 2026 World Cup to North Korea.
Why did Simon Brodkin throw money at Sepp Blatter?
Brodkin later said he wanted to highlight the corruption allegations surrounding FIFA at the time. According to ABC News, he told reporters it was “a protest against the systemic corruption in football’s governing body.”
What happened after the Sepp Blatter stunt?
Swiss police arrested Brodkin immediately after the stunt. He was detained for several hours and later released without charge (BBC Sport, UK sports broadcaster). In September 2015, BBC reported that he was still waiting to learn whether he would face charges. Ultimately, no charges were filed. The stunt became one of the most memorable moments in football satire and cemented Brodkin’s reputation as a fearless prankster.
Brodkin’s arrest shows that his kind of satire can have real legal consequences, even though he avoided charges.
Why this matters: The Blatter stunt wasn’t just a gag — it landed Brodkin in an international news cycle and turned a niche character comedian into a household name for activism‑through‑humour.
“I was surprised to be arrested — I thought they’d see the funny side.”
— Simon Brodkin, quoted in BBC Sport
Brodkin has said that leaving medicine was the hardest decision he ever made, but comedy was the only thing he wanted to get up in the morning for (YouTube interview, 2021).
The Blatter stunt and the medical school dropout narrative form the two pillars of Brodkin’s public identity. One gave him global headlines; the other gave him a backstory that made those headlines stick. Together, they turned a character comedian into a name that stands for something bigger than a punchline — a willingness to risk real consequences for a satirical point. For comedy fans looking for more than one-liners, Brodkin’s career is a case study in how far a well-timed stunt can take you.
What’s confirmed and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Simon Brodkin threw fake money at Sepp Blatter in 2015 – ESPN
- His current tour is called Unleashed (2025–2026) – Official website
What’s unclear
- Exact net worth – multiple estimates, no official figure – Wikipedia
- Whether he has a Netflix special confirmed – not announced as of 2025 – YouTube
- Context of a reported apology (public statements are vague) – BBC Sport
- Full name beyond “Simon Benjamin Brodkin” – relies on single source – BBC Sport
- Medical school details (dates, number of years) – main source is self‑reported – YouTube
- Birthplace and exact birth date – cross‑checked but still only one secondary source – BBC Sport
Timeline of Simon Brodkin’s career
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 29 September 1977 | Born in Sheffield, England (BBC Sport) |
| Late 1990s – early 2000s | Studies medicine at University of Leeds; leaves to pursue comedy (YouTube) |
| 2009 | First TV role on The Life and Times of Tim (BBC Sport) |
| 2011 | BBC Three series Lee Nelson’s Well Good Show airs (Wikipedia) |
| 20 July 2015 | Throws fake money at Sepp Blatter during FIFA press conference (ABC News) |
| 2021–2022 | Troublemaker stand‑up tour (Wikipedia) |
| 2025–2026 | Unleashed tour across UK and Ireland (Official website) |
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Frequently asked questions
What is Simon Brodkin’s net worth?
There is no official figure. Multiple estimates exist online, but none are backed by a reliable public source. Wikipedia, the open encyclopedia does not list a net worth.
Does Simon Brodkin have children?
He has not publicly disclosed any information about children. His family life remains private.
Who is Simon Brodkin’s wife?
Brodkin does not publicly discuss his romantic relationships. No confirmed details about a wife or partner are available.
Is Simon Brodkin on Netflix?
No Netflix special has been announced. His 2025 filmed special Screwed Up has not yet named a streaming platform.
Why did Simon Brodkin apologize?
In 2015, after the Blatter stunt, Brodkin reportedly apologised to Swiss police for the disruption, but the exact context of a wider apology remains unclear (BBC Sport).
How did Simon Brodkin get his start in comedy?
After leaving medical school, he began performing stand‑up in London clubs. His character Lee Nelson gained traction online, leading to a BBC Three series and nationwide tours (Wikipedia).
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Craig Newton is Senior Reporter at ScopePress.uk, covering breaking technology news and consumer tech stories across the UK.