Rhodri Paul Gilbert was born on 18 October 1968 in Carmarthen, Wales, as one of three siblings to two teacher parents. His father came from Ebbw Vale and his mother from Abertillery. After graduating, Gilbert travelled for a year and a half around Australia and Asia before returning to Carmarthen and working as an administrative assistant for the Welsh Office. He later worked as a qualitative researcher for several market research agencies in London.

Gilbert got into professional comedy in 2002, after taking part in the Amused Moose Stand Up and Deliver course. Within his first 18 months, he became the first comedian in the UK to reach the finals of every major new act competition — including the BBC New Comedy Awards, So You Think You’re Funny, and the Jongleurs Comedy Battle. He was nominated for the Perrier Best Newcomer Award at the 2005 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, marking a major breakthrough in his career.

On television, his hugely successful Rhod Gilbert’s Work Experience ran for nine series, in which he tried all manner of jobs, airing on BBC One Wales and BBC Two across the network, and winning BAFTA Cymru awards for Best Presenter and Best Factual Series. He also provided narration for BBC Two’s Take a Hike, where five hikers compete to lead the best walk.

Gilbert is married to his long-term girlfriend, writer and comedian Sian Harries, since August 2013. They divide their time between London and Wales. They have no children.