David Lionel Baddiel is an English comedian, novelist and television presenter. Baddiel was born in New York, and moved to England when he was four months old. He grew up in grew up in Dollis Hill, Willesden, North London.

After studying at Haberdashers Askes Boys School in Elstree, he read English at Kings College, Cambridge and graduated with a double first. He began studies for a PhD in English at University College London, but did not complete it.

Baddiel became a cabaret stand-up comedian after leaving university and also wrote sketches and jokes for various radio series. His first television appearance came in a bit-part on one episode of the showbiz satire, Filthy, Rich and Catflap. In 1988, he was introduced to Rob Newman, a comic impressionist, and the two became a writing partnership. They were subsequently paired up with the partnership of Steve Punt and Hugh Dennis for a new topical comedy show for BBC Radio 1 called The Mary Whitehouse Experience, and its success led to a transfer to television, shooting Baddiel to fame.

He has written four novels: Time for Bed, Whatever Love Means, The Secret Purposes and The Death of Eli Gold.

Baddiel has two children, both born in Westminster, London, with his girlfriend, Morwenna Banks.