Jo Brand began her illustrious career on the London cabaret circuit, under the guise of The Sea Monster, where she earned a cult following. She’s since established herself as one of the best female comics in Britain. Her wealth of television work includes her own shows – Jo Brand's Hot Potatoes (BBC1) and Channel 4's Through the Cakehole.
Sussed, polemic, deceptively droll, with a razor-sharp perspective on all that is sexist and sizeist, Jo’s popularity is well deserved. Whilst subjects close to Jo's heart (feminism, fat people and chocolate) remain a staple of her stand-up shows, there are also the taboos. Her pet hates include supermodels, sad blokes, politicians and thin people – to name a few.
Nurse! Born in Kent, Jo's first job was at Dr Barnardo's home, following in the footsteps of her mother, a social worker. After this, she moved to London and became a psychiatric nurse. Dealing on a daily basis with drug addicts, alcohol abuse and the clinically depressed, it was her sense of humour that kept her going.
F**kitI'lldoitanyway Aside from her award-winning Channel 4 show, Jo Brand Through the Cakehole, Jo's other television appearances include: BBC's Have I Got News For You, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Mock the Week, Absolutely Fabulous, Question Time and QI where she’s a regular panellist.
Her mantra of “f**kitI’lldoitanyway” has uncovered a whole different side to Jo’s talents. From taking the part of Sergeant of Police in Pirates of Penzance in May 2008, to singing on Celebrity Fame Academy for Comic Relief, an un-willing fashion victim on the BBC1 special What Not To Wear On The Red Carpet, and learning to play the organ for BBC's Play it Again, which she then played to a sell out crowd at the Royal Albert Hall.
In print …
Jo has written two irreverent books (both published by Simon & Schuster), A Load of Old Balls and A Load of Old Ball Crunchers, about the leading men and women in history. Her first novel, Sorting Out Billy was published by Headline Books in 2004 and her second, It's Different for Girls in 2005. Rumour has it she's currently working on a third book.
