His BBC Radio 4 series, The Small World of Dominic Holland (a reference to his 5'6" height), won a Comic Heritage Award.
He later studied textile management at Leeds University,[6] where he met his future wife, photographer Nicola Frost.
In Holland's first year at the Edinburgh Fringe his one-man show won the Perrier Best Newcomer award and good notices.
[9] The Sunday Times described Holland as "The UK's master of observational comedy" and The Daily Telegraph commented that "he is a top notch stand up who everyone should see".
[2] Holland made his TV debut appearance in 1993 on Central Television's Lafter Hours with Harry Hill.
He was a team captain for two series of Bring Me the Head of Light Entertainment for Channel Five – with Graham Norton hosting in 1998.
In 1999 and 2000, Holland appeared twice as a guest on Have I Got News for You (as well as being its regular warm-up act), They Think It's All Over, and in 2000, The Royal Variety Performance.
[17] He also made regular appearances in the early seasons of BBC Radio 5 Live's comedy sports panel show, Fighting Talk.
[12] Holland debuted in 1982 in a small role as a schoolboy in the Channel 4 film P'tang, Yang, Kipperbang.
Holland has written material for Bob Monkhouse, Lenny Henry, Harry Enfield, Des O'Connor, Clive Anderson and many others.