EPISODE 29
BEHIND THE LAUGHTER: FAME, CONTROVERSY & ADDICTION
BRITISH COMEDIAN, DAPPER LAUGHS
The story of Dapper Laughs starts with a well-documented rise to fame, and for many ends with cancellation. For Daniel O’Reilly though, it was just the beginning…
From causing controversy to coping with addiction, he’s been through hell and back to find sobriety and set his path straight.
We’ve so much to learn from one of modern comedy’s most controversial figures, as Daniel joins us for a remarkably open conversation of this episode of Off Script.
*CONTENT WARNING* - This episode includes an incredibly open discussion around suicide, which some listeners may find distressing. If you or anyone you know is in need of support, Samaritans are available by phone at 116 123.
This episode covers
Daniel’s early life & tumultuous family life
The inception of Dapper Laughs
His impact on lad culture
Managing addiction and substance abuse at the height of his fame
How family life and fatherhood has changed him
Finding personal growth in recovery
LINKS & REFERENCES
Dan O’Reilly
https://twitter.com/dapperlaughs
EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS
“When I look back on it now, I was in full blown addiction. Even all the way back in 2014. Everyone around was just going ‘Yeah, give him some drinks, it’ll make him perform better’.“
18:00 - Daniel O’Reilly
——
“My whole life was driven by maybe a feeling of abandonment - my mum moved away when I was 15. She left so my family was kind of disjointed as I was younger.” - 6:00 - Daniel O'Reilly
“What I've got now - my two daughters and my wife - if that's it for me, that's good. In fact, I don't want anything else to ruin it. If you're not serving my mental wellbeing, you're out now.” - 35:00 - Daniel O'Reilly
“If you're sat there now feeling like you can't handle it, you can't cope, and there's no answers, it's because you've kept everything inside. You've got to give it to someone else.” - 45:50 - Daniel O'Reilly
“Sobriety is so hard because as soon as anything bad comes up - you've had a stressful week, you’re getting to Friday, your missus has annoyed you - instead of sitting with it, you can instantly escape it with drink. That's been the last 20 years of my life.” - 57:20 - Daniel O'Reilly
“If anyone out there is doing what I was doing, wrapped up in hurting the people they love, it's never too late to switch around.” - 1:06:40 - Daniel O'Reilly