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Since leaving her job as a psychiatric nurse in the 80’s, Jo Brand has built a huge following in the comedy world and is now often referred to as the best female comic in the UK, with numerous TV, acting and writing credits to her name.
Her first TV appearance was on Friday Night Live (1992-1993), and was the only comic who was asked back in the same series. Her hit Channel 4 shows Through the Cakehole (1993-1996) and All the Way to Worcester (1996) followed to great acclaim.
Known for her deadpan humour and clever wit, Jo makes an exceptional awards host, judge and speaker, perfect for any audience looking to be entertained.
Contact Great British Speakers today to book Comic Actor, Writer and TV Presenter Jo Brand for your next event.
Jo Brand’s appeal to audiences old and young is marked by her many appearances on diverse TV programmes. She has appeared on the likes of Question Time (1995-2004), QI (2003-2021), Countdown (1988-), Would I Lie To You (2009-), The Graham Norton Show (2007-2018), Splash (2013-2014), Mock The Week (2005-2006), The Great Comic Relief Bake Off (2013), Damned (2016), What Not To Wear (2004), Absolutely Fabulous (1994), Taskmaster (2019), Never Mind the Buzzcocks (2008-2017) and 8 Out Of 10 Cats (2013-2014).
Her TV personality led her to host a number of popular shows such as The Great British Bake Off – An Extra Slice (2014-), Have I Got News For You (1992-), Jo Brand’s Hot Potatoes (2002), Jo Brand’s Commercial Breakdown (1999) and Jo Brand’s Cats & Kittens (2017-2021). She has also sat in for The One Show (2008-2021) and The Paul O’Grady Show (2004-2015), fronted A Woman in Love and War (2010) about the World War 1 nurse Vera Brittain, and narrated the tribute to Les Dawson, Laughter and Tears (2007) for BBC Radio 2.
Jo has expanded her natural comic ability by starring in a number of stage shows – predominately pantomime – including Aladdin, Snow White, a musical version of the nativity, and Pirates of Penzance.
Jo has written a number of critically acclaimed fiction and non-fiction books. Jo has written the hit comedy history books A Load of Old Balls: Men in History (1994) and A Load of Old Ball Crunchers: Women in History (1996), the novels It’s Different For Girls (2005), Sorting Out Billy (2004) and The More You Ignore Me (2009), and the memoirs Look Back in Hunger (2009), Can’t Stand Up For Sitting Down (2010), and Born Lippy: How To Do Female (2018). In 1996, Jo was also involved with the publication of a collection of HTV Sherman Plays alongside her friend Helen Griffin and the Drama Association of Wales.
Jo is passionate about using her profile to raise awareness and funds for a number of charities. She is a familiar face for Comic Relief, starring in the first celebrity version of Comic Relief Does Fame Academy in 2003 followed by Comic Relief Does the Apprentice in 2007 and Let’s Dance for Comic Relief in 2009. In 2016, she walked 140 miles across the north of England for the charity, raising over £1.2 million in the process.
Jo is also patron, ambassador or supporter for ActionAid, the National Self Harm Network, International Animal Rescue, the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association, London Nightline, Ectopic Pregnancy Trust, Children in Need, Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital and Alzheimer’s Society.
Jo’s careers in both nursing and comedy have awarded her many accolades over the years. In 2007 she was awarded an honorary doctorate for her work as a psychiatric nurse from the University of Glamorgan, a journal of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing Lifetime Achievement Award in the same year and a second honorary doctorate in 2014 from Canterbury Christ Church University for her work in raising awareness of mental health issues.
For her comedy, she was nominated in 1992 for the prestigious Perrier Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, has won a BAFTA for Best Female Performance in a Comedy Role in 2011 as well as three further nominations, three wins and one nomination at the British Comedy Awards, a National Film Award for Best Comedy 2019, two Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Awards, a win and two nominations at the Royal Television Society UK Awards, plus nominations at the Broadcasting Press Guild Awards and the Legionnaires of Laughter Legacy Awards.
Jo Brand’s deadpan delivery and intelligent observations make her an excellent choice as an event host, bringing her natural wit and charm to any audience. She tackles things that irritate her most, questioning the logic behind such topics as teenage boys, keeping fit, body size and sex.
– Comedy
– Women in Comedy
– Mental Health and Nursing
– Feminism
– Writing
– Body Size
The audience loved her…Jo had clearly undertaken research about the sector and made what is not the most exciting subject absolutely hilarious. She is so talented and extremely funny. We were really impressed with how flexible she was on the timings and generous in spending time with members of the audience, giving autographs and having photos taken. We would 100% recommend Jo to anyone thinking about asking her to host awards…value for money and pure entertainment!
Affordable Home Ownership Housing Awards
The laughter never stopped the whole evening…at the finale, the audience would not let Jo leave the stage and cried for more. In true pop star fashion she resumed her position from behind the curtain and delivered a series of one-liners while the audience clapped and cheered.
The Times
We were, one again, delighted to have Jo Brand host our awards on 18 September. She entertained the audience, kept them going through the presentation of 18 awards and is such an easy going and lovely person to work with.
Laing and Buisson
Jo Brand was excellent.
Coloplast Ltd.
She was absolutely superb, they LOVED her…the show was great…she asked if we had had enough and everyone shouted No! which was just the response we were looking for. Marvellous! Would definitely hire her again…her timing is impeccable…Will recommend to those in the industry.
Agendo/Roche