Robert Webb – Biography, Health Update, and Family Life in 2025

Robert Webb is an English comedian, actor, and writer who rose to fame as one half of the comedy duo Mitchell and Webb. Born on 29 September 1972 in Lincolnshire, he is best known for playing the chaotic Jeremy “Jez” Usborne in the Channel 4 sitcom Peep Show.

His partnership with David Mitchell, forged at Cambridge University in the 1990s, became one of British comedy’s most recognisable double acts. Beyond television, Webb has written a bestselling memoir and a novel, and in 2022 he underwent open-heart surgery for a congenital condition.

Webb continues to work across comedy and writing, maintaining a public profile while keeping much of his personal life out of the spotlight.

What Is Robert Webb Best Known For?

• Robert Webb is best known for his role as Jeremy “Jez” Usborne in the British sitcom Peep Show.
• He has been part of the comedy duo Mitchell and Webb with David Mitchell since the late 1990s.
• In 2022, Webb underwent open-heart surgery to replace a bicuspid aortic valve, a congenital condition.
• He is married to writer Abigail Burdess since 2016 and they have two children.
• Webb has authored two books: the memoir How Not to Be a Boy (2017) and the novel Come Again (2021).
• As of 2025, Webb is active on social media and has returned to live performance and acting after his surgery.

What Happened to Robert Webb’s Health?

In 2019, a routine medical examination revealed that Webb had a congenital heart defect. The condition, a bicuspid aortic valve, meant the valve in his heart had only two leaflets instead of the usual three, causing it to narrow over time.

In 2022 he underwent open-heart surgery to replace the faulty valve with a mechanical alternative. Webb later described the procedure as “a big operation” and confirmed he was recovering well. The condition also led to his withdrawal from the television show Strictly Come Dancing, as doctors advised against the physical demands of the competition.

Who Is Robert Webb’s Wife and Family?

Marriage to Abigail Burdess

Webb married writer and comedian Abigail Burdess in 2016. Burdess has worked as a writer on several British comedy programmes. The couple live in London with their children.

Children

Webb and Burdess have two children, a son and a daughter. Webb has spoken in interviews about how fatherhood influenced his perspective on masculinity, a theme he explored in depth in his memoir How Not to Be a Boy.

Privacy

While Webb discusses family life in his writing, he and Burdess have kept their children’s names and many personal details out of the public domain. His family remains a central but carefully guarded part of his life.

What Books Has Robert Webb Written?

Webb has published two books. His first, How Not to Be a Boy (2017), is a memoir that examines masculinity through the lens of his own upbringing, relationships, and experiences. It became a bestseller and was praised for its honesty and humour.

His second book, Come Again (2021), is a novel. The story follows a woman who wakes up in her younger body with the chance to relive pivotal moments. It marked Webb’s move into fiction and was well received by critics.

How Did Robert Webb’s Career Develop Over Time?

1. 1972 – Born in Boston, Lincolnshire, England.
2. 1990s – Attends Cambridge University, meets David Mitchell; joins Footlights.
3. 2003-2015 – Stars as Jeremy in Peep Show (series 1–9).
4. 2006 – That Mitchell and Webb Look premieres; wins BAFTA.
5. 2016 – Marries Abigail Burdess.
6. 2017 – Publishes memoir How Not to Be a Boy.
7. 2021 – Publishes novel Come Again.
8. 2022 – Undergoes open-heart surgery to replace aortic valve.
9. 2023 – Returns to stand-up and TV appearances (e.g., The Masked Singer).
10. 2025 – Active on social media, working on new projects.

What Is Confirmed and What Remains Unclear About Robert Webb?

How Did Robert Webb’s Career Evolve and What Impact Did His Health Have?

Career Evolution

Robert Webb’s career began in Cambridge Footlights alongside David Mitchell, leading to radio success (That Mitchell and Webb Sound) and television fame with Peep Show. The show’s distinctive point-of-view style and Webb’s portrayal of the lazy, hapless Jez made him a household name in British comedy.

Impact of Health Crisis

Webb’s 2022 heart surgery was widely covered and prompted discussions about congenital heart conditions. His openness about the experience in interviews and on social media has increased public awareness of bicuspid aortic valve disease. For readers interested in other figures who have faced health challenges in the public eye, the article on Amanda Abbington – Life, Career and Strictly Come Dancing offers a related perspective, as she also participated in Strictly Come Dancing.

Literary Turn

With two books published, Webb has expanded beyond performance. His memoir How Not to Be a Boy tackled masculinity and his upbringing, while Come Again allowed him to explore fiction. Both books were well-received critically.

What Are the Key Sources and Quotes About Robert Webb?

“I was born with a bicuspid aortic valve and it had been getting narrower. I had a mechanical valve fitted. It’s a big operation but I’m feeling much better now.”

Robert Webb in a 2022 interview with The Guardian

“Mitchell and Webb is a partnership built on mutual respect and a shared sense of the absurd.”

From a joint interview with David Mitchell, The Independent

Key reference sources include Wikipedia – Robert Webb, IMDb – Robert Webb, Canongate Books – Robert Webb author page, and the NHS page on bicuspid aortic valve for health context. Webb is also active on X/Twitter and Instagram.

What’s Next for Robert Webb?

Webb remains active in comedy and writing. He has hinted at potential new stand-up tours or live shows on social media, and there is speculation about a possible role in an upcoming British television series, though nothing has been officially confirmed. Rumours of a third book also persist without formal announcement. For a deeper look at another major figure in British comedy, see Stewart Lee – Biography, Comedy Style, and Tour.

Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Webb