Why I’m not a ******* comedian!

It’s Twixmas. That time between the seasonal festivities and a celebration of another new year. It’s also when many of us review our options and, in my case, think far too much!  

As a self-confessed workaholic, I find it difficult to switch off but over the last week, I have managed to do this relatively successfully with the welcome distraction of my family which now includes two gorgeous grandkids.  

It probably comes as no surprise to you that the question I get asked most is: “Are you a comedian yourself?”

What I want really want to say to them is “No, I’m not a f***ing comedian.”

However, as I work in comedy, I live with the most common assumption that I must be a comedian.

Well, I’m not and, as a result, I suffer from one of the biggest cases of imposter syndrome known to womankind!

To unravel all my Twixmas angst about this and what happens next, I spoke to a trusted friend who was kindly mentoring me on succession planning. She asked me a deceptively simple question: “What’s your why?”

My initial response was to say that I didn’t really know anymore.

Originally, it was clear. I wanted to change the face of the comedy circuit — a sexist, misogynistic ‘boys’ club’ at the time. 25 years ago, many industries were like that, but comedy is a public platform. I believed I could help shift the culture.

So, what’s stopping me changing things up and moving on?

• The job isn’t done. Women remain personally and professionally vulnerable – as reflected in the UK Government’s new violence against women and girls strategy launched earlier this month.
• I’m stuck in a groove. The fear of stopping is greater than the challenge of continuing.
• Funny Women has become my whole identity — ironic, given I don’t perform comedy myself.

And then I looked at my “why” in respect of the last year.

Running the Funny Women Awards again sponsored by BBC Studios’ digital channel Funny Parts has been such a privilege.  Although it was incredibly hard work at times, I fulfilled my personal objective to get the live in-person Stage Award heats running again around the UK for the first time since the pandemic and we had our biggest number of entries and nominations ever.  Clearly there’s still a demand for this important competition and, after a lie down I’ll be getting my mojo together to start work on 2026.

Working on The Glitter Project and its fundraising counterpart, The Glitter Challenge, has been a real gamechanger for me personally.  Despite the stressful nature of applying for and raising funds to keep everything going, it is one of the most rewarding initiatives Funny Women has launched and feeds directly into our community objectives.

Not everybody has the resources, time, money or confidence to follow their dream.  Others have secret unfulfilled desires to get on a stage and be funny despite a ‘traditional’ career trajectory or running a successful business.  We’ve been able to sprinkle a bit of glitter this year to help those with less access to creative development to dip a toe in comedic waters. 

Some of this has been funded by creating The Glitter Challenge, a warm friendly and inclusive programme for women to explore their comedic potential in a professional capacity.

This was only meant to be a ‘sticking plaster’ one-off while I run the gauntlet of applying for more institutional funding for The Glitter Project, but it has proven to be more successful than I ever could have imagined!  So, we are running The Glitter Challenge all over again next year!  There’s still time to get the earlybird deal here before midnight tonight!

I am so grateful to our nine pioneering Glitter Challengers from this year and putting my business contemporaries on stage at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Comedy Store London was a big leap of faith on all our parts. Maybe you’ll be seeing a bit more of them again next year….

Writing this has reminded me why Funny Women still matters and why I can’t just stop.  I always say that culture reflects society, and nothing is more open or honest than the live comedy circuit.   Giving people who identify as female access to comedy, regardless of income or circumstance, is a big part of my continuing ‘why’ and providing recognition to new talent at grassroots through our Awards is essential. 

Recognition is important to me too and receiving the British Citizen Award for Arts back in the summer was a real ‘pinch me’ moment. 

I’ll let the description on the website do the heavy lifting for me on this: “The British Citizen Award proudly recognizes and commends individuals whose acts of courage, selflessness, and dedicated civic leadership significantly contribute to the enhancement of our society throughout the United Kingdom. By celebrating those who make a meaningful difference, we foster a vision of a brighter future for all.”

The BCA recognises the achievements of individuals who made extraordinary contributions to their communities.  This means so much to me as community is everything, both locally and professionally.  Whilst there’s often more pain than pleasure in my role as a producer, I know that without people like me working from within, change would never happen.

My “why” is glaringly clear: everyone deserves a voice, and being comfortable using humour gives us confidence, visibility, memorability and the courage to stand up to whatever life throws at us. 

I don’t do all this alone either – grateful thanks to those who stand alongside me: Kirstin Miller, Alex Rochford, Mariana Feijo, Kate Owen, Roxy JC, Laurie Presswood and our incredible non-executive board headed up by Tracey Barr. Not forgetting everybody who took part in the Funny Women Awards, The Glitter Project and Glitter Challenge, Stand Up to Stand Out workshops and Comedy Crash Courses. You are all A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!

Wishing you a peaceful, healthy and, of course, a very Funny New Year!