Broken Lens

Biography

Daniel "Dan" James Howell is a British vlogger and radio personality who is best known for his YouTube channel "Daniel Howell" (previously “danisnotonfire”). Howell went to the University of Manchester in 2010 to study law, but dropped out in order to pursue video blogging as a profession. Howell has lived with fellow YouTuber Phil Lester since August 2011; the pair moved to London in July 2012 and recently built a house together. In 2015, Howell and Lester released their co-written a book titled “The Amazing Book Is Not on Fire” (TABINOF). It topped the General Hardbacks Sunday Times Bestsellers list having sold 26,745 copies in the UK in the first week of its release. It also became a #1 New York Times Bestseller in the young adult hardcover list. They performed their theatrical stage show The Amazing Tour Is Not on Fire (TATINOF) during October and November 2015, ending at the London Palladium. In 2016, they took the tour to the US which began at Playlist Live in Orlando, Florida and ended on 24 June 2016 at the Dolby in Hollywood, CA. It was the largest tour ever by YouTube creators. Following a hiatus from YouTube, in June 2019 Howell came out as queer and gay in a video uploaded on his channel titled “Basically I’m Gay”; he also said that he doesn't "feel the need to use labels." He has since supported LGBTQ+ charities and advocated for LGBTQ+ equality. In September 2020, Howell announced his first solo publication, You Will Get Through This Night. Written in conjunction with psychologist Dr Heather Bolton, the book is "A practical guide to taking control of your mental health for today, tomorrow, and the days after." The book was released 18 May 2021 under the HQ and Dey Street Books imprints of HarperCollins. He performed his first solo show “We’re All Doomed!” in 2022. He is currently active on the channel “Dan and Phil Games” with co-creator Phil Lester.