Simon's award-winning comedy series, Grandma's House, ran for two seasons on BBC2 garnering ecstatic reviews.  In the series, Simon plays a version of himself - the host of a massively popular entertainment show who has given it all up to pursue a more serious acting career, only to  find himself living at home in the suburbs with his dysfunctional family.  

Simon himself made a similar career move when he gave up his role as host of the BBC's enduring popular comedy panel show Never Mind the Buzzcocks in 2009 after four seasons, during which time he graduated from cult hero to mainstream success.

Simon began performing stand-up in his teens, going on to become the youngest ever finalist of the BBC New Comedy Awards.  He started his TV career on Nickelodeon in 1998, until he was fired for making pop stars uncomfortable. He soon found his niche as the co-host of the Channel 4 show, Popworld, where, ironically, he gained a huge following for his groundbreaking work in making pop stars uncomfortable.

Simon premiered his first hour-long TV special, Do Nothing, on BBC America in October 2012.  Recorded at Vicar Street, Dublin, Do Nothing captures Simon at his intimate, painfully honest best. “Pin point timing... highly literate and charming... an endearing mixture of offhand candour and sharp wit,” raved critics.

Following sold out residencies in New York and London with his show titled 'Numb', Simon Amstell has embarked on his fourth international stand up tour - ‘to be free’.

Simon has won an RTS Award as well as a Broadcast Award, two British Comedy Awards and has been nominated for a BAFTA.