Samantha is a deaf consumer expert on Rip Off Britain and currently plays Bonnie Baldridge on BBC’s Father Brown. We're talking to her after Samantha launched her own luxury accessories brand Baines London, inspired by her difficult experience in hospital with her newborn daughter.

Known for off-kilter anecdotes and unfiltered stand-up, friends HARRIET DYER (LIVE AT THE APOLLO, 8 OUT OF 10 CATS DOES COUNTDOWN), LINDSEY SANTORO (LIVE AT THE APOLLO, R4) and AMY MASON (R1, 25+ million views TikTok), launch new podcast SOCIAL MOTHS, exploring the struggle to socialise in 2026. 


Saaniya Abbas is a Dubai-based stand-up comedian, writer and content creator known for her fearless storytelling, mischievous wit and global touring career.

After a completely sold-out Edinburgh Fringe run, Siblings are bringing their most raucous show yet, Dreamweavers to London’s @SohoTheatre Maddy and Marina Bye are back as SIBLINGS with a deliriously funny sketch comedy. The award-winning comedy duo and IRL sisters have also just announced their tour across UK and Europe, kicking off in 2026. Read @siblingscomedy Q&A on our website!

The queen of comedy, renowned-broadcaster, actor, and mental health campaigner Ruby Wax has announced a brand new UK tour with Ruby Wax: Absolutely Famous, also featuring her long-time collaborator Clive Tulloh.

Bea’s secretly working three full-time jobs. All at the same time. And she’s still financially f*cked. Between looking after luxury flats to dogsitting the world’s ugliest pooch, she’s neck-deep in employers and it’s only a matter of time until someone finds out she’s breaking all her contracts.

Pauline Eyre is taking her show 'Anyone for Tennis' on a UK Tour commencing in January 2026 in London.

We are thrilled that Top Funny Woman Lynne Parker received a silver Lifetime Achievement award from the Best Business Women Awards 2025. The awards were established to recognise and celebrate the achievements of women across all industries, celebrating women who are not only building successful businesses but also breaking down barriers, creating impact, and inspiring others to follow.

After months of fierce competition across 16 heats and four semi-finals spanning the UK, Ireland, and Europe, the Funny Women Awards 2025 Grand Final delivered an unforgettable night of comedy brilliance. Hosted by the infectiously energetic Amy Gledhill, the evening was a joyous celebration of rising stars, sharp writing, and the unstoppable power of women in comedy.

By complete chance! I grew up watching Comedy Central with my dad but only ever saw male comedians so never considered it as a career opportunity. When I got to acting school in London I was presented with the opportunity to write my own show- with the option to make it stand-up. That same year I had started to build a small online following on Tik Tok. When I posted a clip of her stand-up set followers asked for a live show and I have been a full time comedian ever since!

I was a regular old punter at a local comedy club called The Grinning Idiot ran by John Smith, back in 2008. I had (and still have) got a really loud laugh so he used to give me free tickets to up the laughter-meter in the room. I just loved it! And one day John let me get on stage to tell a joke (he literally held my hand) I haven’t looked back.

Maple Zuo is a Chinese-Mongolian stand-up comedian. As seen on BBC cultural frontline,  She’s been performing since 2017 across Asia and the UK, known for her witty takes on cross-cultural life, identity, and relationships. Maple has won King Gong at The Comedy Store, Blackout at Up the Creek, and was a finalist in the Leicester Square Theatre New Act of the Year 2023. In 2024, she placed 2nd in the LGBT New Comedian of the Year. 

Shalaka Kurup is an Indian stand up comedian and writer. Her observational humour has been described as deadpan joy. A doctor by education and a comedian by choice Shalaka has shot onto the UK circuit receiving numerous awards, winning West End New Act of the Year, runner up Brighton Komedia New Act of the year and a finalist Channel 4 Sean Lock Award. Performances include opening for Eshaan Akbar, Grace Campbell, Ria Lina, and was selected for Leicester Comedy Festival Circuit Breakers and Pleasance Reserve in 2023. She has starred on Comedy Central Live Season 3, Jokes Only A…Can Tell (Channel 4 Digital) Asian Network Comedy (BBC) Arts Hour Comedy Special (BBC) and Sunday Morning Live (BBC1).

Sophie Garrad is a stand-up comedian, writer, and content creator celebrated for her high-status humour with her delusional silliness. She first made her mark online with viral sketches that have amassed over 100 million views across Instagram and TikTok, before quickly establishing herself as one of the most exciting new voices in British comedy. Sophie is also a So You Think You’re Funny finalist and her debut hour Poor Little Rich Girl sold out at the Edinburgh Fringe and earned rave reviews, cementing her reputation as a rising star to watch.

Madeleine is a writer-turned-performer who has recently scooped a string of competition wins including the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny 2025. She’s been praised for her “distinctive worldview” (Chortle), “tight and gag-packed” writing (Bruce Dessau), and a “knack for blending offbeat observations with pacey, unexpected punchlines” (The List). She lives in London.

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.

Kate Hammer is an anemic Canadian comedian and writer living in Glasgow, and is a regular host and weekend performer at clubs in Scotland. She has performed on Just for Laughs, Latitude Festival, Kelburn Garden Party, Late N Live, PopMontreal, and is a finalist for the Funny Women competition 2025, as well as being a semi-finalist for the 2022LGBTQ and Leicester Square New Comedian of the Year competitions. She is the resident host and co-producer of the queer comedy show All Mouth and has opened for Sam Lake and Mark Nelson. Kate is high energy, wears high-waisted trousers, and always stays true to her goat farming heritage.