Zoe Lyons initially studied psychology at the University of York, graduating in 1992. She soon developed a love for performing, moving to London to train at The Poor School and Workhouse Theatre before taking to the stage in dramatic and comedic roles.

Zoe Lyons Acting Work

Zoe is a talented actress, having starred in Outings at the Edinburgh Festival, which later transferred to the St James Theatre in London. She also played the lead part in An Act of God at the Vaults Theatre in London in 2019, and has starred in Hedda Gabler at the Workhouse Theatre and Shut Up I’m Your Mother at the Gilded Balloon.

Zoe Lyons Stand up Work

Zoe made her debut solo appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2007, performing Fight or Flight, which was nominated for the Perrier best newcomer award. Her show Mangled Mantra of the Messed Up Modern Mind in 2008 featured a joke which won TV Channel Dave’s Joke of the Fringe. She returned to Edinburgh ten years later with her show Entry Level Human which she then toured across the UK.

In 2011, as part of her second international tour Clownbusting, Zoe was invited to perform at the Melbourne Comedy Festival in Australia. She has also performed at Latitude, Kilkenny and at Pride festivals; she also hosts her own monthly comedy night in Brighton – Bent Double.

Her trademark high energy, brilliantly observed routines and sharply written material, have left her with an ever-growing fan base and she is a popular event host.

Zoe Lyons – TV Work

Zoe was first seen on our TV screens in 2001 on the first series of ITV game show Survivor (2001-2002), placing 6th out of 16 contestants. Since then, she has been a popular face on a wide range of topical and entertainment shows:

– Panel Shows: Mock The Week (2005-), Room 101 (1994-2018), Dara O’Briain’s Go 8-Bit (2016-2018), Hypothetical (2019-), and Between The Covers (2020-).

– Quiz Shows: Pointless Celebrities (2010-), Celebrity Mastermind (2002-) – which she won, Richard Osman’s House of Games (2017-), Guessable (2020-), Celebrity Eggheads (2008-) and University Challenge The Graduates (1994-).

– Reality Shows: Celebrity MasterChef (2006-) and Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (2010-).

– Chat Shows: The Wright Stuff (2000-2018), The John Bishop Show (2015), Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled (2014-) and The Apprentice: You’re Fired (2006-).

– Comedy Shows: Channel 4’s Comedy Gala (2010), Live at the Apollo (2004-) Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow (2009-2011), Dave’s One Night Stand (2010-2012) and Funny Festival Live (2021).

Zoe has been the host for teatime quiz show Lightning (2021-2022) on BBC Two, as well as appearing on Channel 4’s Stand Up and Deliver (2021) where she mentored actress Katie McGlynn in stand-up comedy.

In 2018, Zoe appeared in a series of adverts on Sky One for tourism company Tui alongside fellow comedian Mark Watson.

Zoe Lyons Radio Broadcasting

Zoe has also lent her voice to radio hosting and guest appearing on popular radio shows such as BBC Radio 4 shows Britain Vs The World, Live From The Stand, The News Quiz, Just a Minute, The Unbelievable Trust and The Now Show, plus her own four-part series Passport Paddy. She has also been heard on BBC Scotland, BBC Radio 2 and Absolute Radio on Breaking the News, Clive Anderson’s Chat Room and The Frank Skinner Show.

Zoe has also been featured on a number of podcasts such as Walking the Dog with writer Emily Dean, An Hour or So with Sue Perkins, James Acaster Stay Home Special and The Guilty Feminist with fellow comedienne Deborah Frances-White.

Zoe Lyons Award winning Comedian

In 2004, Zoe won the Funny Women Award, followed by a nomination for Best Newcomer at the if.comedy awards in 2007, she followed this up with winning Dave’s Joke of the Fringe in 2008 and a further nomination in 2009. She then won the London Award for Art and Performance in 2011. She has also won both the Comedian’s Comedian Award and the Chortle Best Club Comic accolade.

In 2009, Zoe featured in The Independent’s tenth annual Pink List detailing the 101 most influential lesbian and gay people in Britain; Zoe was placed at number 81.

Zoe Lyons Corporate Comedy Work

Zoe has worked alongside a number of corporate clients including Sky 1 and TUI, Dell and Perspective Publishing.

Zoe Lyons Speaking Topics

– Alopecia

– Comedy

– LGBTQ+

Zoe is very passionate about LGBTQ+ rights and ensuring everyone gets to live the life they want and with who they want without fear of prejudice or assault. In 2003, Zoe teamed up with charity Stonewall to host their 10th Brighton Equality Walk, an annual event that raised almost half a million pounds in its first decade. In 2020, Zoe hosted We Are FABULOSO!, Brighton & Hove Pride’s digital festival alongside fellow broadcaster Stephen Bailey. She has also supported The Sussex Beacon, a charity caring for people living with HIV, The Rainbow Fund, a charity who provides grants to LGBT/HIV volunteer-led groups and MindOut, a mental health charity for the LGBTQ+ community.

Zoe takes a unique approach to comedy, observing the absurdities of life and turning them into hilarious routines and sharply written material. Zoe has hosted live and online events, and is perfect for corporate events, dinners, galas, award ceremonies, conferences, festivals, comedy events and private functions.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book stand up comic & TV presenter Zoe Lyons for your corporate event.

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