Samantha’s comedy career kicked off about six years ago, after three decades as an accountant and single mum. Now she’s been freed from the city, she’s really hit her stride, as a truly original act who’s winning awards and progressing fast on the circuit.
How did you get into stand-up?
It started as a hobby. For six months I tried to juggle stand up with my job as Head of Tax at KPMG London, but it was soon clear that that wasn’t going to work. So I chose more happiness, less money – and I’ve never looked back.
What is it like being a finalist in the 2025 Funny Women Awards?
Kind of surreal – at 56 I was the oldest in my heat, and in my semi-final. Now I’m the oldest in the final. Comedy is a world in which the older you are, the richer your material and persona can be. By the time you hit your 50s you can really see how ridiculous your behaviour is – and you’ve almost stopped worrying about what people think of you. After decades of breadwinning and caring for family, it’s officially playtime!
Why is Funny Women important to you?
We live in a world in which youth is seen as a precursor to potential. I’d love to win this competition if only to show how incredible older women can be once they’re released from their former lives.
Tell us about your comedy style.
My onstage persona is ignorant, vain and lacks any kind of self-awareness. Luckily, she’s untroubled by this and so it doesn’t stop her talking down to people.
What’s next for you?
God knows. Comedy is everything to me now… and although it sounds contradictory, I take stand up seriously – for the time I have left, it’s going to be my life’s work. I’m excited about getting better at it. I don’t know what that means in career terms – my plan is to become the best I can be, enjoy it, and see what happens as a result. I will leave other people to drive themselves crazy worrying about career stuff.
Who are your favourite Funny Women?
Sara Pascoe. I did a gig with her at Susan Murray’s club in Walthamstow a few months ago. She was trying out material for the tour which she’s got coming up. I felt so inspired watching her – she was incredible. And off stage she was warm and kind and gave me actionable advice. I fell a little bit in love with her to be honest. I also love Amanda Baker. She’s a comedy director. So knowledgeable, so to the point. She presents as a brash American. But she’s much deeper than that – and always in my corner – I’ve learned a lot from her. Being in her world means working at the right things.
What do you love about stand up?
Honestly? Everything. It feels like the antidote to a life I led out of necessity when I was the breadwinner for my family (but which made me ill). The freedom to be truly individual and creative. To be the very worst behaved version of yourself and be paid for it. Learning to master something really difficult has got to be up there amongst the best ways of enjoying your life.
You can follow Samantha in all the usual places – @samanthadaytime
10 finalists will compete in-person at the Stage Award final, on Thursday 25th September at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London. TICKETS HERE.
At this Final, we will also present the Awards for Writing, Shorts, Content creator and our Industry prize.
You can also see the:
Longlist for the Comedy Writing Award HERE.
Longlist for the Comedy Shorts Award HERE
Vote for the Content Creator Award HERE
